Participation in Special Olympics reduces the rate for developing diabetes in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

AIM: Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have a significantly higher prevalence of Type 2 diabetes than the general population. Evidence that lifestyle and/or behavioural interventions, such as participation in Special Olympics, decreases the risk of developing diabetes in adults with IDD could help minimize health disparities and promote overall health in this population. METHODS: This was a 20-year retrospective cohort study of adults with IDD (30-39 years) in the province of Ontario, Canada, that compared hazard rates of diabetes among Special Olympics participants (n = 4145) to non-participants (n = 31,009) using administrative health databases housed at ICES. Using cox proportional hazard models, crude and adjusted hazard ratios were calculated for the association between the primary independent variable (Special Olympics participation status) and the dependent variable (incident diabetes cases). RESULTS: After controlling for other variables, the hazard ratio comparing rates for developing diabetes between Special Olympics participants and non-participants was 0.85. This represents a 15% reduction in the hazard among Special Olympics participants when followed for up to 20 years. This result was statistically significant and represents a small effect size. CONCLUSIONS: Special Olympics could be considered a complex intervention that promotes physical activity engagement through sport participation, health screenings, and the promotion of healthy eating habits through educational initiatives. This study provides evidence that Special Olympics participation decreases the rate for developing diabetes.

Examining the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines among Adults with Intellectual Disability: A Pilot Study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the extent to which adults with intellectual disability (ID) met the 2020 Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. Fifteen adults (six females and nine males) participated in this nine-day observational study (age = 20-64 years) in 2021-2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time, and total sleep time were measured with a smartwatch to compare to the guidelines. A diary subjectively tracked physical activity. Of the 15 participants, 11 met the MVPA guidelines (73%), 4 met the sedentary behaviour guidelines (27%), 7 met the sleep guidelines (47%), and only 1 participant met all 3 of the guidelines (7%). There were no differences in physical activity or sleep between weekends and weekdays, or between males and females. Walking, cleaning dishes, and swimming were the most common types of physical activity performed by the participants. The findings of this pilot study indicate the need to improve sleep and reduce sedentary time in adults with ID. As most participants met the MVPA guidelines, few met the sedentary behaviour guidelines, and nearly half met the sleep guidelines, these data also demonstrate how important it is to assess all three aspects of the movement guidelines. All these behaviours have independent health benefits and risks, which interact to influence overall health.

The Influence of Perceptions of Competence on Motor Skills and Physical Activity in Middle Childhood: A Test of Mediation.

The mediating effect of perceptions of physical competence (PPC) on the relationship between motor competence and physical activity levels is documented in adolescence. However, it is unclear at what age this begins. In this study, we examined whether PPC mediated the relationship between moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) or sedentary behaviour and motor competence in middle childhood. The participants were 129 children (mean age = 8.3 years) from eight elementary schools. MVPA and sedentary behaviour were measured using Actigraph accelerometers, and motor competence was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition. The Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children and The Self-Perception Profile for Children were used to assess PPC. In this study, PPC did not predict either MVPA or engagement in sedentary behaviours. Further, structural equation modelling revealed that PPC did not mediate the relationship between motor competence and MVPA or between motor competence and sedentary behaviour. These results suggest that at 8 years of age, children's perceptions do not influence their participation in physical activities. It is possible that factors influencing PPC, such as peer comparisons and performance outcomes, have more impact in later childhood or adolescence. In turn, those perceptions may affect children's or adolescents' choices to opt in or out of physical activities.

Young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in Special Olympics are less likely to be diagnosed with depression.

PURPOSE: People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience high rates of depression. Evidence indicates that physical activity, or participation in a sports club, in a supportive social environment has mental and physical health benefits. Adults with IDD, on average, engage in low levels of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to compare the rates of depression among young adult Special Olympics participants with IDD compared to non-participants with IDD. METHODS: This was a 20-year retrospective cohort study of young adults (19-29 years) with IDD in the province of Ontario, Canada that compared rates of depression among Special Olympics participants (n = 8710) to non-participants (n = 42,393) using administrative health databases housed at ICES (formerly the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences). Using cox proportional hazard models, the crude hazard ratios were calculated for the association between each independent variable and the dependent variable. RESULTS: After controlling for other variables, the hazard rate for depression among Special Olympics participants compared to the hazard rate for depression among non-participants generated an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.51. Over the 20-year follow-up, the participants were 0.51 times as likely to develop depression as non-participants; this represents a 49% reduction in risk among Special Olympics participants. This result was statistically significant and represents a medium effect size. CONCLUSION: Future research is needed on how much of this risk reduction is related to a physiological response to physical activity/exercise, and how much is related to the social connectedness of being part of a group participating in Special Olympics.

Matching Special Olympics registration data with administrative health databases: Feasibility and health status differences in children and youth with IDD.

BACKGROUND: Children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experience health disparities. What is unknown is if data collected from children and youth with IDD who participate in Special Olympics is representative of children and youth with IDD who do not. OBJECTIVES: Aim 1: determine the feasibility of matching a database of registrants from Special Olympics Ontario (SOO), with population-based health services databases in Ontario, Canada housed at ICES. Aim 2: evaluate the differences between the database sources with regards to demographic variables and clinical status. METHODS: Using deterministic and probabilistic matching, registration data from SOO were matched to administrative health databases. Established algorithms were used to determine the prevalence of asthma, diabetes, and mental disorder in addition to demographic variables. RESULTS: The matching rate was over 90%; 8404 were attributed to children and youth between the ages of 0-19 years. When comparing SOO participants with IDD to non-SOO participants with IDD, children and youth who participate in SOO were, on average, older with no further differences between groups on clinical or demographic variables. When comparing those previously not identified in the health services databases (from SOO) to those with IDD identified by ICES, the SOO participants appear to use the health system less, possibly indicating a better health status. CONCLUSIONS: Research conducted on child and youth who participate in Special Olympics Ontario can be generalized to the broader population of children and youth with IDD in Canada when adjusted for age; however, care should be taken when comparing levels of overall morbidity.

COVID-19 Pandemic and Individuals With Intellectual Disability: Special Olympics as an Example of Organizational Responses and Challenges.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a worldwide crisis. It has been, and is, an extreme challenge for our health care and prevention systems, and for society as a whole. Among many facets of life, physical activity and sport has been heavily impacted. The aim of this viewpoint article is to highlight the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with an intellectual disability, with a particular focus on physical activity and Special Olympics. Specific objectives are (a) to share what the literature reveals about the impact of COVID-19 on the health and well-being of individuals with an intellectual disability, (b) to examine what is known about the impact of the pandemic on physical activity of individuals with an intellectual disability, (c) to describe Special Olympics program responses during the pandemic, and (d) to recommend areas for future research.

Motor Skills and Participation in Middle Childhood: A Direct Path for Boys, a Mediated Path for Girls.

BACKGROUND: Beyond the often examined perceptions of competence and motor skill proficiency, perceived value and children's expectations for success are thought to affect engagement in physical activities. We used parallel mediation models to examine the direct effect of motor skill proficiency on participation in physical activities, as well as whether children's beliefs and value for physical activities mediated this relationship. METHODS: The participants in this cross-sectional study were a total of 398 grade 3 children (201 girls) from 8 schools. Motor skills were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2, the Value Expectancy Questionnaire measured the psychological variables, and the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment measured physical activities. RESULTS: Motor skill proficiency predicted all 3 psychological constructs for the boys and the girls, and boys' participation in physical activities. However, the psychological variables did not mediate the relationship between motor skills and participation among the boys. For the girls, task value mediated the relationship between motor skills and physical activity participation. CONCLUSION: It is possible that the girls are further along in their ability to reflect on their competence, successes, and failures; it is also possible that the lower motor skill levels of girls had a deleterious effect on their feelings about participating.

A Narrative Review of Motor Competence in Children and Adolescents: What We Know and What We Need to Find Out.

Lack of physical activity is a global public health problem causing not only morbidity and premature mortality, but it is also a major economic burden worldwide. One of the cornerstones of a physically active lifestyle is Motor Competence (MC). MC is a complex biocultural attribute and therefore, its study requires a multi-sectoral, multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary approach. MC is a growing area of research, especially in children and adolescents due to its positive association with a plethora of health and developmental outcomes. Many questions, however, remain to be answered in this field of research, with regard to: (i) Health and Developmental-related Associations of MC; (ii) Assessment of MC; (iii) Prevalence and Trends of MC; (iv) Correlates and Determinants of MC; (v) MC Interventions, and (vi) Translating MC Research into Practice and Policy. This paper presents a narrative review of the literature, summarizing current knowledge, identifying key research gaps and presenting questions for future investigation on MC in children and adolescents. This is a collaborative effort from the International Motor Competence Network (IMCNetwork) a network of academics and researchers aiming to promote international collaborative research and knowledge translation in the expansive field of MC. The knowledge and deliverables generated by addressing and answering the aforementioned research questions on MC presented in this review have the potential to shape the ways in which researchers and practitioners promote MC and physical activity in children and adolescents across the world.

Child Care Setting and Its Association With Policies and Practices That Promote Physical Activity and Physical Literacy in the Early Years in British Columbia.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) is critical to early child development, and child care is a key setting for promotion. The authors investigated differences in daily PA and sedentary behavior practices as well as physical environments between family child care (FCC) and group child care (GCC) settings for children aged 3-5 years in Canada. METHODS: Group child care (n = 581) and FCC (n = 357) managers completed surveys assessing the implementation of PA promoting practices and description of their environments. Crosstabulation and chi-square tests of association were used to examine differences between GCC and FCC. RESULTS: The prevalence of facilities implementing 120 minutes of active play (odds ratio [OR] 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58-3.15), <30 minutes on screens (OR 1.35; 95% CI, 1.02-1.80), and 60-minute outdoors daily (OR 1.99; 95% CI, 1.4-2.9) was more likely in FCC compared with GCC. However, implementation of fundamental movement skill activities (OR 1.40; 95% CI, 1.01-1.92), breaking up prolonged sitting (OR 1.86; 95% CI, 1.36-2.5), and outdoor space for large group running games (OR 1.74; 95% CI, 1.07-2.83) were more likely in GCC. CONCLUSIONS: Child care setting was associated with daily PA and sedentary practices and outdoor space for PA. Interventions to support PA in child care should be tailored to different settings and the facilitators explored.

Prevalence and Relationships among Physical Activity Policy, Environment, and Practices in Licensed Childcare Centers from a Manager and Staff Perspective.

Physical activity (PA) is critical to early childhood health and development, and childcare is a key setting for establishing physically active play. In British Columbia (BC), a provincial standard for active play in childcare was enacted, identified here as the Active Play (AP) standard. Pragmatic constraints limit real-world data collection for evaluating policy impact. We explored whether information about policies, practices, and the environment varied when it was collected from managers or staff. Surveys were distributed to BC childcare centers before AP standard enactment to ascertain current PA and fundamental movement skill policies and practices. The full sample (n = 1037 from 625 facilities) and a subsample of paired managers and staff (n = 261 centers) were used to explore agreement across managers and staff in reported prevalence and relationships among indicators. The policy prevalence and relationships for active play and outdoor play variables were relatively similar for manager and staff data, although the matched data had modest agreement and less than optimal intraclass correlations. The prevalence of manager-reported PA policies ranged from 47% for screen-time limits to 77% for fundamental movement skill activities. The manager and staff data highlighted indoor and outdoor space as a primary factor in AP standard adherence. With reliance on sampling staff unfeasible, it appears that the manager data may adequately describe the policies and practices of childcare providers with some notable issues.

The Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Patterns of Children in Kindergarten and Grade 2.

Accompanying the transition from early to middle childhood are substantial changes in children's educational and recreational circumstances. These changes may affect physical activity levels. This study examined levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviours in kindergarten (age range 5⁻6 years) and grade 2 (age range 7⁻8 years). Participants were 96 kindergarten children recruited in the 2010⁻2011 and 2011⁻2012 school years and 94 grade 2 children recruited in the 2012⁻2013 and 2013⁻2014 school years. A sub-cohort of children was tracked longitudinally from kindergarten to grade 2. Accelerometers were used to measure physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Independent t-tests revealed that children in grade 2 spent significantly less time engaged in physical activity compared to those in kindergarten (292 min/day compared with 354 min/day) and more in sedentary behaviours (443 min/day compared with 368 min/day). For the longitudinal sample, the pattern was similar. Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant decrease in physical activity levels (364 min/day to 292 min/day) and a significant increase in sedentary behaviour (368 min/day to 435 min/day) over time. There is a critical need to invest in strategies to maintain higher levels of physical activity across the primary years and reduce sedentary time, since these behaviours affect health outcomes.

Maximizing the use of Special Olympics International's Healthy Athletes database: A call to action.

There is a critical need for high-quality population-level data related to the health of individuals with intellectual disabilities. For more than 15 years Special Olympics International has been conducting free Healthy Athletes screenings at local, national and international events. The Healthy Athletes database is the largest known international database specifically on the health of people with intellectual disabilities; however, it is relatively under-utilized by the research community. A consensus meeting with two dozen North American researchers, stakeholders, clinicians and policymakers took place in Toronto, Canada. The purpose of the meeting was to: 1) establish the perceived utility of the database, and 2) to identify and prioritize 3-5 specific priorities related to using the Healthy Athletes database to promote the health of individuals with intellectual disabilities. There was unanimous agreement from the meeting participants that this database represents an immense opportunity both from the data already collected, and data that will be collected in the future. The 3 top priorities for the database were deemed to be: 1) establish the representativeness of data collected on Special Olympics athletes compared to the general population with intellectual disabilities, 2) create a scientific advisory group for Special Olympics International, and 3) use the data to improve Special Olympics programs around the world. The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes database includes data not found in any other source and should be used, in partnership with Special Olympics International, by researchers to significantly increase our knowledge and understanding of the health of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Body mass index and waist circumference of Latin American adult athletes with intellectual disability.

OBJECTIVES: To examine both body mass index (BMI) status and waist circunference (WC) in a large international sample of adult Special Olympics participants from Latin America. It also explored the association of age and sex with obesity in this population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BMI and WC records from a total of 4174 (2683 male and 1491 female) participant records from the Special Olympics International Health Promotion database were examined. RESULTS: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was quite high (i.e. > 40%), but generally lower than studies involving adults with intellectual disabilities from Europe and the USA. Chi-square analyses revealed that both increasing age and being female significantly predicted levels of overweight, obesity, and WC. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that efforts need to be made to prevent and reduce rates of overweight and obesity among Latin American Special Olympics participants, particularly women.

Interventions to promote physical activity for youth with intellectual disabilities.

OBJECTIVE: To describe interventions designed to promote physical activity for youth with intellectual disabilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of nine databases until January 31, 2015 identified 213 citations. The inclusion criteria were: a) the study sample consisted of youth with intellectual disabilities, b) the study implemented an intervention to initiate, increase, or maintain physical activity, and c) quantitative or qualitative data were used to report the effectiveness of the intervention. Eleven articles from the 213 citations met this criterion. RESULTS: Nine studies reported significant increases in physical activity behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Conclusions cannot be made regarding intervention components that impacted outcome variables, if the observed effects were specifically due to the intervention or if interventions could be maintained long-term. To advance the knowledge base in this area, a concerted effort should be made to increase rigor in study conceptualization and research design.

Interventions to promote physical activity for adults with intellectual disabilities.

OBJECTIVE: To describe interventions designed to promote physical activity for adults with intellectual disabilities and the effects on overall physical activity levels and on health outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of eight databases until January 31, 2015 identified 383 citations. The inclusion criteria were: a) the study sample consisted of adults with intellectual disabilities, b) the study implemented an intervention to initiate, increase, or maintain physical activity, and c) quantitative or qualitative data were used to report the effectiveness of the intervention. Six articles from the 383 citations met this criterion. RESULTS: Three studies resulted in significant increases in physical activity behaviour; however well-controlled trials designed to improve weight status by increasing physical activity did not produce significant effects. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results indicate that interventions to increase physical activity should simultaneously target the individual with intellectual disability as well as their proximal environment over a sustained period of time.

Interventions to promote physical activity for adults with intellectual disabilities / Intervenciones para promover la actividad física para adultos con discapacidad intelectual

Abstract: Objective: To describe interventions designed to promote physical activity for adults with intellectual disabilities and the effects on overall physical activity levels and on health outcomes. Materials and methods: A systematic review of eight databases until January 31, 2015 identified 383 citations. The inclusion criteria were: a) the study sample consisted of adults with intellectual disabilities, b) the study implemented an intervention to initiate, increase, or maintain physical activity, and c) quantitative or qualitative data were used to report the effectiveness of the intervention. Six articles from the 383 citations met this criterion. Results: Three studies resulted in significant increases in physical activity behaviour; however well-controlled trials designed to improve weight status by increasing physical activity did not produce significant effects. Conclusion: Overall, the results indicate that interventions to increase physical activity should simultaneously target the individual with intellectual disability as well as their proximal environment over a sustained period of time.

Resumen: Objetivo: Describir las intervenciones diseñadas para promover la actividad física para adultos con discapacidad intelectual y los efectos en los niveles de actividad física en general y en los resultados de salud. Material y métodos: Una revisión sistemática de ocho bases de datos hasta el 31 de enero de 2015 identificó 383 citas. Los criterios de inclusión fueron: a) los participantes del estudio fueron adultos con discapacidad intelectual; b) el estudio implementó una intervención para iniciar, aumentar o mantener la actividad física; c) se usaron datos cuantitativos o cualitativos para informar la efectividad de la intervención. Seis artículos de 383 cumplieron con los criterios. Resultados: Tres estudios resultaron en aumentos significativos en conductas de actividad física; sin embargo, los ensayos controlados diseñados para mejorar el peso corporal al aumentar la actividad física no produjeron efectos significativos. Conclusión: En general, los resultados indican que las intervenciones para aumentar la actividad física deben dirigirse simultáneamente al individuo con discapacidad intelectual, así como su entorno próximo durante un periodo de tiempo sostenido.

Body mass index and waist circumference of Latin American adult athletes with intellectual disability / Índice de masa corporal y circunferencia de cintura en atletas adultos latinoamericanos con discapacidad intelectual

Abstract: Objectives: To examine both body mass index (BMI) status and waist circunference (WC) in a large international sample of adult Special Olympics participants from Latin America. It also explored the association of age and sex with obesity in this population. Materials and methods: BMI and WC records from a total of 4174 (2683 male and 1491 female) participant records from the Special Olympics International Health Promotion database were examined. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was quite high (i.e. > 40%), but generally lower than studies involving adults with intellectual disabilities from Europe and the USA. Chi-square analyses revealed that both increasing age and being female significantly predicted levels of overweight, obesity, and WC. Conclusions: These results suggest that efforts need to be made to prevent and reduce rates of overweight and obesity among Latin American Special Olympics participants, particularly women.

Resumen: Objetivos: Examinar tanto el estado de índice de masa corporal (IMC) como la circunferencia de cintura (WC) en una muestra significantemente grande de participantes internacionales de Olimpiadas Especiales de América Latina. También este estudio exploró la asociación de la edad y el género con la obesidad en esta población. Material y métodos: Se examinaron los registros de IMC y WC de un total de 4174 (2683 hombres y 1491 mujeres) del banco de datos de la Promoción Internacional de la Salud de Special Olympics (Special Olympics International Health Promotion). Resultados: El predominio de sobrepeso y obesidad fue bastante alta (es decir, > 40%), pero generalmente menor en comparación con los estudios con adultos con discapacidad intelectual de Europa y los Estados Unidos. El análisis Ji cuadrada reveló que tanto el aumento de la edad y ser mujer predijo significativamente los niveles de sobrepeso, obesidad y WC. Conclusiones: Estos resultados sugieren que hay que hacer esfuerzos para prevenir y reducir las tasas de sobrepeso y obesidad entre los participantes de las Olimpiadas Especiales de América Latina, particularmente las mujeres.

Interventions to promote physical activity for youth with intellectual disabilities / Intervenciones para promover la actividad física para jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual

Abstract: Objective: To describe interventions designed to promote physical activity for youth with intellectual disabilities. Materials and methods: A systematic review of nine databases until January 31, 2015 identified 213 citations. The inclusion criteria were: a) the study sample consisted of youth with intellectual disabilities, b) the study implemented an intervention to initiate, increase, or maintain physical activity, and c) quantitative or qualitative data were used to report the effectiveness of the intervention. Eleven articles from the 213 citations met this criterion. Results: Nine studies reported significant increases in physical activity behavior. Conclusions: Conclusions cannot be made regarding intervention components that impacted outcome variables, if the observed effects were specifically due to the intervention or if interventions could be maintained long-term. To advance the knowledge base in this area, a concerted effort should be made to increase rigor in study conceptualization and research design.

Resumen: Objetivo: Describir las intervenciones diseñadas para promover la actividad física para jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual. Material y métodos: Una revisión sistemática de nueve bases de datos hasta el 31 de enero de 2015 identificó 213 citas. Los criterios de inclusión fueron: a) la muestra del estudio consistió en jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual, b) el estudio implementado fue una intervención para iniciar, aumentar o mantener la actividad física y datos c) cuantitativos o cualitativos se utilizaron para informar la efectividad de la intervención. Once artículos de 213 citas cumplen este criterio. Resultados. Nueve estudios informaron aumentos significativos en el comportamiento de la actividad física. Conclusión: No se pueden establecer conclusiones con respecto a los componentes de intervención variables de resultado, considerando si los efectos observados fueron específicamente debido a la intervención o intervenciones podrían mantenerse a largo plazo. Para avanzar en la base de conocimientos en esta área, se necesita un esfuerzo concertado para aumentar el rigor en el estudio unívoco.

Association of poverty and social exclusion with body mass index among Special Olympics athletes in Europe.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of a risk of poverty and social exclusion (AROPE), age, and gender with the body mass index (BMI) status of European Special Olympics athletes. METHODS: BMI records were available for 1905 children and youth and 5517 adults from the Special Olympics International (SOI) Health Promotion database. AROPE was extracted from EU Eurostat statistics. Logistic regression analyses were used to predict BMI status. RESULTS: For children/youth and adults, respectively, 9.4 and 6.3% were underweight and 25.3 and 44.6% were overweight/obese. Being underweight was significantly associated with higher AROPE rates. Being female and lower AROPE rates were significantly associated with overweight/obesity for both children/youth (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.07-1.50 and OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.96-0.98) and adults (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.39-1.72 and OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.95-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: The Europe 2020 "platform against poverty" strategy aims to ensure that those experiencing poverty and social exclusion share the benefits of economic growth. These findings suggest that SOI health promotion efforts to foster healthy BMI are needed and should be tailored to specific social and economic circumstances in Europe.

The Relationship between Fundamental Motor Skill Proficiency and Participation in Organized Sports and Active Recreation in Middle Childhood.

Motor skill proficiency in middle childhood is associated with higher physical activity levels at that age and is predictive of adolescent physical activity levels. Much of the previous research in this area has used accelerometry in determining these relationships, and as a result, little is known about what physical activities the children are engaging in. Therefore the aim of this study was to examine rates of participation in physical activities, the relationships between motor proficiency and how often children participate, and if there were gender-based differences in participation, motor skills, or the relationship between these variables. Participants were 400 boys and girls (Mean age = 9 years 6 months) in grade 4. Motor skills were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) and physical activity participation was measured using the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). Descriptive statistics, chi-squared analyses, and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used to examine activity patterns and whether these patterns differed by gender. Correlation coefficients were used to estimate the relationships between fundamental motor skill proficiency and participation. The boys and girls participated in many of the same activities, but girls were more likely to participate in most of the informal physical activities. More boys than girls participated in team sports, boys participated more frequently in team sports, and the boys' object control and locomotor skill proficiency were significantly associated with participation in team sports. There were some significant associations between motor skills and participation in specific activities; however it is not clear if participation is developing skillfulness or those who are more skilled are engaging and persisting with particular activities.