BACKGROUND: Aquatic competence is a multidimensional construct that extends beyond swimming skills and plays a central role in drowning prevention. Aquatic performance is shaped by biomechanical, energetic, and hydrodynamic interactions that determine body-water interaction and movement efficiency. Although several aquatic competence assessment instruments have been developed, there is limited clarity regarding how biophysical aspects are incorporated into these tools. This scoping review aimed to describe how instruments incorporate biophysical indicators related to performance in aquatic environments. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted in accordance with the JBI Collaboration guidelines and reported following the PRISMA-ScR recommendations. Searches were performed across eight international databases and two sources of grey literature. Studies involving children and adolescents (approximately 5-15 years) assessed using instruments of real or perceived aquatic competence were included. Data extraction focused on assessed contexts and dimensions, instrument general characteristics, and biophysical indicators. RESULTS: Forty-five studies were included. Most instruments (80.0%; 36/45) were applied in controlled pool environments, whereas only 20.0% (9/45) included assessments conducted in natural aquatic settings or comparative designs. Biophysical aspects were primarily represented indirectly through task demands rather than through direct biomechanical or physiological measurements. Environmental variables such as temperature, depth, and current were infrequently incorporated, with limited use of assessments conducted in natural aquatic environments. CONCLUSIONS: Existing instruments mainly incorporate biophysical elements as functional manifestations of body-water interaction, with limited integration of environmental and hydrodynamic constraints. The predominance of controlled settings suggests restricted ecological validity for natural aquatic environments, indicating the need for assessment approaches that better integrate biophysical and contextual factors.
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