Behavioral Assessment of Social-emotional Skills in Children in Sport (BASES-Sport): Validation of a Performance-Based Observation Tool in Motorically Demanding Contexts

Through movement, children engage with their social environment, gain fundamental experiences, and learn to assess their abilities. In early school years, motor and socio-emotional skills develop in social contexts (e.g., sports clubs), peer interactions (e.g., recreational play), and physical education. Successful skill development is crucial for participation in sports and leisure activities, fostering an active lifestyle, and supporting physical and mental health. Despite their interconnectedness, motor and socio-emotional skills have largely been studied in isolation within separate disciplines, leaving their interaction an open research question. To address this gap, this study validates BASES-Sport, a performance-based observational tool designed to assess socio-emotional competencies in structured movement-based tasks. The validation study will evaluate its reliability, sensitivity to individual differences, and validity using two structured behavioral observations. By systematically examining the validity of BASES-Sport, this study aims to establish a robust instrument for future research and practical applications in physical education, sports psychology, and child development.