Original article Childhood Motor Skill Proficiency as a Predictor of Adolescent Physical Activity Lisa M. Barnett, M.P.H. a, *, Eric van Beurden, Ph.D. b,c , Philip J. Morgan, Ph.D. d , Lyndon O. Brooks, Ph.D. c , and John R. Beard, Ph.D. a,c,e a University of Sydney, Department of Rural Health (Northern Rivers), Lismore, NSW, Australia b North Coast Area Health Service, Health Promotion Unit, Lismore, NSW, Australia c Southern Cross University, Graduate Research College, Lismore, NSW, Australia d University of Newcastle, Faculty of Education and Arts, Newcastle, NSW, Australia e New York Academy of Medicine, New York, New York Manuscript received February 8, 2008, manuscript accepted July 1, 2008 Abstract Purpose:Cross-sectional evidence has demonstrated the importance of motor skill proficiency to physical activity participation, butit is unknown whether skill proficiency predicts subsequent physical activity. Methods:In 2000, children’s proficiency in object control (kick, catch, throw) and locomotor (hop, side gallop, vertical jump) skills were assessed in a school intervention. In 2006/07, the physical activity of former participants was assessed using the Australian Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire. Linear regressions examined relationships between the reported time adolescents spent participating in mode ate-to-vigorous or organized physical activity and their childhood skill proficiency, controlling for gen- der and school grade. A logistic regression examined the probability of participating in vigorous activity Results:Of 481 original participants located, 297 (62%) consented and 276 (57%) were surveyed. All were in secondary school with females comprising 52% (144). Adolescent time in moderate-to-vigorous and organized activity was positively associated with childhood object control proficiency. Respective models accounted for 12.7% (p ¼ .001), and 18.2% of the variation (p ¼ .003). Object control proficien children became adolescents with a 10% to 20% higher chance of vigorous activity participation. Conclusions:Object control proficient children were more likely to become active adolescents. Mo- tor skill development should be a key strategy in childhood interventions aiming to promote long-term physical activity. Ó 2009 Society for Adolescent Medicine. All rights reserved. Keywords: Motor skill; Fundamental movement skill; Physical activity; Organized physical activity; Adolescent; Child; Longitudina Regularparticipation in physical activity is associated with important short- and long-term health benefits for chil- dren and adolescents in physical, cognitive, emotional, and socialdomains [1,2]. Health benefits can be seen in terms of a direct improvement to childhood health status and to adult health status (as a result of childhood health improve- ment). There is also some evidence physical activity behavior tracksto adulthood, with active children more likely to become active adults [3]. Current recommendations sta school-age youth should participate in 60 minutes or m of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day [4]. In Australia, in 2004, 40% of girls and 22% of boys in grade 10 did not meet these recommendations [5]. Identifying tors that determine adolescent physical activity may th be important in increasing physical activity levels at all In the last 10 years cross-sectional evidence has grown regardingtheimportanceof fundamental motor skill proficiency to physical activity participation. Motor deve ment models propose levels through which a child mus ress to achieve motor proficiency. Motor skills associate locomotor (often termed movement), object control (inv manipulation of an object), and postural control are usually *Address correspondence to: Lisa M. Barnett, M.P.H., School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behav- ioural Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Vic- toria 3125, Australia. E-mail address: lisa.barnett@deakin.edu.au 1054-139X/09/$ – see front matter Ó 2009 Society for Adolescent Medicine. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.07.004 Journal of Adolescent Health 44 (2009) 252–259