Manipulative motor competence and static balance in Mexican schoolchildren: Sex differences, age-related changes, and functional relationships

Motor competence and balance are fundamental components of physical literacy and child development. This study examined sex differences in manipulative motor competence, measured by the Tripela Sports Test (TST), and static balance, assessed by the Flamingo Balance Test, in a sample of Mexican schoolchildren (n = 438; boys n = 231) aged 12 to 14 years. Additionally, age-related changes within each sex and the relationship between manipulative motor competence and static balance were analysed. Boys outperformed girls on the TST across all age groups (all p < .001; effect sizes ranging from η 2 p = .062 to .176). Girls exhibited superior static balance performance (fewer falls) at ages 12 and 13, but this advantage was absent at age 14. TST scores improved with age in boys, whereas girls demonstrated relative stability. No significant correlation between TST and Flamingo was found in boys at any age; however, among girls, significant correlations emerged at age 12 (r = −.360, p < .01) but not at ages 13 and 14. These findings suggest that static balance may be an important associated factor of manipulative motor competence in younger girls but not in boys, who may compensate for balance limitations through other motor resources. However, given the cross-sectional and correlational design, the results should be interpreted with caution.