Motor competence across the life span: A cross-sectional study of Iranians aged 5 to 85 years

To measure motor competence among a representative sample of Iranians aged 5-85 years.Cross-sectional.Motor competence was assessed quantitatively by the Test of Motor Competence; two fine motor skills (placing and building bricks) and two gross motor skills (heel-to-toe-walking and walking/running in slopes) to assess dynamic balance. Task scores were summed and transformed into standardized scores (z-scores). Data were stratified by 12 chronological age groups and sex.Participants were 500 Iranians aged 5-85 years (females = 64%, age 5-35 years = 82%). There were significant age differences in motor competence and the distribution between age and z-score distribution was u-shaped. Between childhood and adolescence there was a rapid improvement in motor competence with maximal speed (-2 standard deviations) occurring among 19-25-year-olds. For each decade after age 25 years, z-scores progressively decreased approximately 1 standard deviations until age ≥56 years when performance decreased to approximately the same speeds as children ( +3 standard deviations). Sex differences were observed between children and adolescents.The sample characteristics constrain the generalizability of our findings. The Test of Motor Competence is easy to administer, uses a standardized test battery for people aged 5-85 years, and the quantitative outcome enables longitudinal monitoring of motor competence across the life course. As life expectancy and the proportion of populations aged65 years increases, understanding how to maintain health in older age is an important public health issue in 21st century.