Author(s): SLOMKA, K., JURAS, G., BRACHMAN, A., MICHALSKA, J., ZAK, M., MASZCZYK, A., JURAS, B., ROSOLEK, B., ZWIERZCHOWSKA, A., Institution: AWF KATOWICE, NIP: 634-019-53-42, Country: POLAND, Abstract-ID: 2202

INTRODUCTION:
Physical and social development often follow separate pathways, yet their integration appears to represent the optimal developmental trajectory. Motor competence has been linked to psychosocial outcomes in youth, but studies simultaneously examining movement quality, postural control, and psychosocial indicators across developmental stages remain limited. The aim of this study was to provide a holistic analysis of selected psychomotor and social development indicators in a population of children and adolescents from the Upper Silesia region in Poland.
METHODS:
A total of 1339 participants aged 7-17 years were divided into four developmental age groups: 7-9 years (stable pre-pubertal growth), 10-12 years (early pubertal changes), 13-15 years (pubertal growth spurt), and 16-17 years (post-pubertal stabilization). Motor assessments included the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and the Y Balance Test (YBT). Psychosocial measures comprised the Well-Being Index (WBI) and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) subscales for social integration and emotional well-being. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, percentile calculations (3rd-97th), Pearson correlation coefficients, and significance levels at p<0.05, p<0.01, and p<0.001.
RESULTS:
Total FMS scores showed significant positive correlations with all psychosocial indicators, with small-to-moderate effect sizes. FMS correlated with the WBI (r=0.278, p<0.001), indicating higher motor competence was associated with better overall well-being. The strongest correlation emerged with PedsQL social integration (r=0.312, p<0.001), suggesting youth with better movement quality report greater social inclusion, consistent with evidence that physical competence facilitates peer interactions and sport participation. FMS also correlated with PedsQL emotional well-being (r=0.246, p<0.001), supporting that motor competence contributes to self-efficacy and positive emotional states. Three mechanistic pathways were identified: a competence-confidence pathway linking FMS to improved physical self-perception and psychosocial functioning, a social participation pathway where motor competence enables sport and play engagement, and a bidirectional pathway where well-being enhances motivation for physical activity.
CONCLUSION:
This analysis of 1339 children and adolescents (7-17 years) provides normative data for movement pattern quality (FMS) and dynamic balance (YBT), while elucidating associations with psychosocial well-being. Motor competence correlated significantly with well-being (r=0.278), social integration (r=0.312), and emotional functioning (r=0.246), supporting a biopsychosocial model of child development. These findings advocate for integrated screening combining FMS, YBT, and subjective health measures as a holistic framework for optimizing physical and psychosocial development in pediatric populations. Such screening should be adopted in schools, sports clubs, and clinical settings.