Children’s outdoor time and multisport participation predict motor competence three years later

This study longitudinally examined, in a cluster-randomised data sample (<i>n</i> = 627, 3-11 years, 51.0% girls), how participation in organised and non-organised physical activity (PA) in early childhood (T1) predicted motor competence (MC) in middle childhood (T2). Organised sports participation and non-organised PA (outdoor time) were investigated via guardian questionnaire (T1, T2). At T2, children's MC was assessed using two locomotor (LMS) and two object control (OCS) skills from the Test of Gross Motor Development - 3rd edition measurement, for a total of four fundamental movement skills (FMS). The Körperkoordinationstest Für Kinder jumping sideways (JS) test was used. A linear regression model demonstrated that children's multisport participation at T1 predicted higher performance in LMS, OCS, FMS, and JS (<i>p</i> < 0.001 to <i>p</i> = 0.003; <i>R</i>² = 16.4% to 23.5%) at T2. Outdoor time on weekdays at T1 predicted higher JS (<i>p</i> = 0.009, 8.4%), OCS (<i>p</i> = 0.006, 14.5%) and FMS (<i>p</i> = 0.003, 10.0%) scores for girls. Two-way analysis of variance examined the interaction effects of sports participation and outdoor time on MC, but interactions were not found. These results underline the independent role of organised and non-organised sports participation in motor development from early to middle childhood.