The role of motivation in the conceptual model of motor development in childhood

The aim of this study was twofold: first, to investigate whether perceived motor competence (PMC) mediates the relation between actual (AMC) and physical activity (PA) according conceptual model development, second examine role different motivational regulations (i.e., intrinsic, identified, introjected, external regulation) in relationship PMC PA. A sample 504 Spanish students (46.2% girls, 8–12 years old) voluntarily participated study. In first aim, structural equation modeling revealed that indeed association AMC positive associations (β = 0.32, p < .001), which turn positively related intrinsic identified 0.46 β 0.43 respectively, were found. showed direct paths from introjected regulation PA 0.27 0.22, .05) indirect through motivation 0.13, .05). This confirms Strategies targeting build develop children’s PMC, fostering should be targeted promote engagement development.