In 2008, a conceptual model explaining the role of motor competence (MC) on children’s physical activity (PA), health-related fitness, weight
status and perceived MC was published by Stodden et al. The purpose of this review is to systematically compile mediation, longitudinal and
experimental evidence in support of this model. Searches were undertaken for each pathway of interest using six relevant databases.
Potential articles were identified though abstract and title checking (N = 585), then screened (n = 152), with 43 articles identified for
extraction. Studies needed to: be original, peer-reviewed, include typically developing children and adolescents first assessed between 2
and 18 years and objective assessment of gross MC and at least one other model variable. Strength of evidence was calculated for each
pathway in both directions by dividing the proportion of studies indicating a significantly positive pathway in the hypothesized direction by the
total amount of studies investigating that pathway. Classifications were no association (0–33 %), indeterminate/inconsistent (34–59 %), or a
positive “+” or negative “-” association (≥60 %). The latter category was classified as strong evidence (i.e., ++ or –) when four or more
studies found an association. If the total number of studies in a domain of interest were three or less, this was considered insufficient
evidence. There was strong evidence in both directions for a negative association between MC and weight status. There was indeterminate
evidence between MC and fitness and indeterminate evidence from MC to PA and no evidence for the reverse. There was insufficient
evidence for the MC to perceived MC pathway. There was strong positive evidence for the fitness-mediated pathway in both directions.
There was indeterminate evidence for the perceived MC-mediated pathway from PA to MC and no evidence for the reverse. To test the
whole model, the field needs robust longitudinal studies with multiple time points, including all variables in the model and accounting for
confounding factors.N.C.V is supported by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personel – CAPESPrint
Brazil. V.P.L is supported by national funding through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., under project
UID04045/2020 L.P.R is partially supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. under Project
UID/DTP/04045/2019.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
