Introduction: Actual and Perceived Motor Competence are important correlates of participation in physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the perception of motor competence (PMC) and the actual motor competence (AMC) of primary school children. Materials and Methods: The study method is cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical. The statistical population of the study was children aged 7 to 10 who were active in sports clubs in Ahvaz. 652 children were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling from eight districts of Ahvaz city. AMC was assessed with the Test of Gross Motor Development-3rd Edition and PMC was assessed with the pictorial scale of Perceived Movement Skills Competence Test. Data were analyzed through student t-test for independent samples and Pearson correlation coefficient with SPSS version 24 software at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The correlation coefficient between actual and perceived locomotor subtests was positive and significant (r(0.652)=0.258, p=0.001). Also, between the actual and perceived object control subtests, the correlation coefficient was positive and significant (r(0.652)=0.251, p=0.001). In the total score of actual and perceived motor competence tests, the correlation coefficient was positive and significant (r(0.652)=0.318, p=0.001). In the performance of actual and perceived object control subtests and the total score of actual and perceived motor competence tests, gender differences were observed in favor of boys (p<0.05). Conclusion: The positive correlation between actual and perceived motor competence indicates that children have accurate perception as a result of the development of cognitive skills needed to evaluate their competence. Considering the existence of gender differences and the weaker performance of girls, it is necessary to design intervention programs for them. |
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