Investigation of the Relationship Between Motor Skills, Physical Activity Level, and Body Mass Index: A Descriptive Study on Turkish Children

The aims of this study were to (1) determine the physical activity levels (PAL) of children aged 10-14, (2) identify gender differences in motor skills (MB), body mass index (BMI), and BMI, and (3) examine the relationship between these parameters. A total of 2993 children (girls = 1501; boys = 1492) aged 10–14 years voluntarily participated in the study. The participants’ PALs were assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C), their MS were evaluated using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK), and their BMI values were calculated using the formula [weight (kg) / height (m²)]. In data analysis, independent samples t-tests were used to determine the differences in PAL and KTK scores by age and gender, while Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among PAL, BMI, and KTK. The results indicated that girls had significantly higher scores than boys in both the KTK subtests and the total KTK score (TotalKTKMQ). When children were classified according to their TotalKTKMQ scores, the majority of both boys and girls were found to have normal or below-average MS levels. In conclusion, it was determined that the majority of Turkish children aged 10–14 years have normal or below-average MS levels. Furthermore, as children’s PAL increases, their MS levels also improve, while their BMI decreases. Considering that enhancing PAL can positively contribute to MS development, it can be suggested that providing children with sufficient time and opportunities for physical activity is crucial, particularly with the support of their families.