Background and Aims: Physical health is an important aspect of the health of any society and one of the most basic needs of human life. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of body mass index and level of physical activity on motor competence in women within the age range of 8-85 years in Tehran, Iran.
Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed on 323 women aged 8-85 years who were divided into five groups, namely children, adolescents, young women, adults, and the elderly. The participants were selected using the convenience sampling method, and the required data were collected using a weight gauge, a height gauge, the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and a motor competence test. The collected data were analyzed using multivariate one-factor analysis of variance and Bonferroni test.
Results: The results of multivariate one-factor analysis of variance showed that the body mass index had no significant effect on motor competence (P<0.05). The main effect level of physical activity and age group on motor competence variable was significant (P=0.001). Performance of the children group was significantly weaker than that of young women regarding motor competence (P<0.05). Moreover, the performance of female children was better than that of the elderly group in terms of the motor fitness variable. In addition, the elderly group had lower motor competence, compared to children and adolescents. Besides, people with a moderate level of physical activity performed significantly better in the motor competence test than those with low and intense levels of physical activity (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The level of physical activity should appropriately increase to enhance motor competence and physical health. Furthermore, the downward trend of motor competence can be delayed by the adoption of proper plans.