Low levels of physical activity and fitness in children may increase the risk of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia during childhood and may contribute to the development of chronic diseases in adulthood. Regular participation in physical activity plays a significant role in the quality of health and prevention of disease throughout an individual’s lifespan. The development of competent motor skills has been posited to be a casual determinant for physical fitness, physical activity behaviors, and positive health outcomes in childhood, as learning to move is a necessary skill that underpins future physical activity. Research shows that the development of competent motor skills in childhood and adolescence is associated with higher health-related physical fitness, enjoyment and perceived competence.

Longitudinal data in children have also suggested that higher motor skill competence results in sustained levels of physical activity and health-related fitness over time. Thus, the correlation between motor skill, competence and physical activity or sedentary behavior across an individual’s lifespan has become an emerging trend in the field, as more and more researchers have conducted investigations in this area of inquiry in the past decade.

Therefore, we invite investigators to contribute original research articles and review articles that will stimulate continuing efforts to understand the relationships between motor skill, competence, physical activity, fitness, and health outcomes among various populations. In this Special Issue, we are particularly interested in articles examining the effects of physical activity programs on motor skill competence, health-related physical fitness, and health outcomes, as well as the correlates and determinants of motor skill competence and physical activity across the lifespan through experimental and observational research designs.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• Trials investigating the effectiveness of physical activity programs targeting motor skill competence improvement
• Trials exploring the effects of movement-based intervention programs on health-related physical fitness and other health outcomes, including biomarkers, psychological and mental health
• Observation studies examining correlates and determinants of motor skill, competence, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors in various populations
• Longitudinal cohort studies exploring trajectory changes of individuals’ motor skill, competence, physical activity, and health outcomes
• Descriptive studies examining the current status of motor skill, competence, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors in specific populations
• Feasibility studies investigating innovative movement-based intervention programs for health outcomes
• Correlation studies examining relationships among children’s motor skill, competence, physical activity, and cognitive development
• Studies investigating the role of motor skill competence in promoting health and learning in special populations