Flexibility is associated with motor competence in schoolchildren

Actual and perceived motor competence in children with motor coordination difficulties: Effect of a movement-based intervention

BACKGROUND

The present study analyses the effect of a Movement-Based Intervention to improve Actual and Perceived Motor Competence in children with probable Developmental Coordination Disorder aged four and six years.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

A longitudinal pre-experimental study was designed with measurements conducted at pre-test, post-test and follow-up (after 5 months without intervention). The group, composed of children with probable Developmental Coordination Disorder or low motor competence, consisted of 57 participants, and the duration of a Movement-Based Intervention was 27 sessions allocated in nine weeks.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Actual Motor Competence was evaluated with the Movement Assessment Battery for School children and Perceived Motor Competence with Pictorial Scale of Perceived Motor Skill Competence for Children. The results showed significant improvements in both study variables (Actual Motor Competence and Perceived Motor Competence), both at post-test and follow-up, five months after the end of the intervention. In conclusion, a Movement-based Intervention is effective in improving Actual and Perceived Motor Competence in the participants of this research, children with low motor competence or probable Developmental Coordination Disorder.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Considering the improvements observed after the program in Spanish sample, it seems that the usual practice in Early Childhood Education in our context may not be sufficient, i.e., it may not provide children with the necessary support (number of lesson and time) and appropriate learning contexts to promote the development of their motor skills. Considering the results, this study suggests that using an Movement-Based Intervention with an appropriate pedagogical approach, and offering different learning opportunities to children according to their needs, could positively influence their Actual and Perceived Motor Competence, and could motivate them towards future practice.

Short-Term Impact of Exercise Fitness Testing in a Pediatric Metabolic and Obesity Clinic: Initiative to Improve Health Care Quality

This 2-phase pilot initiative determined whether (1) fitness testing could feasibly be implemented in pediatric practice, and (2) short-term changes in fitness and body mass index occur with Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based (SMART) goals. Phase 1 (N = 580), clinic feasibility: evidence-based prognostic tests were successfully performed to measure cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF; 3-minute bench step), strength (handgrip dynamometry), and flexibility (sit-and-reach distance). Mean CRF percentile was 58.1 (worst >95 percentile, best <5 percentile), strength percentile was 73.5, and flexibility was 42.3 (worst <5 percentile, best >95 percentile). Phase 2, goal setting and follow-up: SMART fitness goals were developed. In phase 2, patients demonstrated 11.9% and 12.4% improvements in CRF and strength percentiles (P < .05) respectively. All patients who were assigned a strength goal improved handgrip strength. Body mass index percentile changes were not different by SMART goal target. Fitness testing was feasible and successfully improved CRF and strength in children at high risk of metabolic complications and future disability.

Jumping Rope Improves the Physical Fitness of Preadolescents Aged 10-12 Years: A Meta-Analysis

To systematically review the effects of jumping rope on physical fitness among 10 to 12-year-old preadolescents, and to provide evidence-based support for its use in school physical education curriculum work. The PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, ScienceDirect, and CNKI databases were searched for randomized controlled trials that assessed jumping rope and physical fitness among preadolescents aged 10-12 years. Meta-analyses were used to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) values and 95% confidence intervals (CI), and subgroup analyses were conducted on intervention duration, frequency and period. A total of 1048 subjects from 15 studies were included. Compared to regular physical education courses, jumping rope did not show a significant advantage in terms of body morphology. In terms of physical function, boys showed greater improvements in vital capacity, and girls showed greater improvements in resting HR. In terms of physical performance, boys showed greater improvements in speed, upper-body strength, lower-body strength, muscular endurance and agility, while girls showed greater improvements in coordination and balance. Boys experienced a minimal improvement in flexibility, while girls did not show a significant difference. Combining the results of the subgroup analyses, the optimal session time, frequency and intervention length of jumping rope for significantly improving the physical fitness of preadolescents were >40 min, 2 times/week and 8-12 weeks, respectively. In conclusion, jumping rope provides small to large benefits over regular physical education for both boys and girls aged 10-12 years in terms of physical function and physical performance indicators other than flexibility, while showing no significant advantage in terms of body morphology. Based on the available research, it is recommended that children aged 10-12 years participate in jump rope sessions for at least 40 minutes once or twice a week for 8-12 weeks to better develop physical fitness.

Adolescents' Flexibility Can Affect Motor Competence: The Pathway from Health Related Physical Fitness to Motor Competence

Motor competence has been shown to predict health-related physical fitness (HRPF) components in youth, but there is indeterminate evidence for the reverse path. Even less is known about the specific relationship between motor competence and flexibility. Our aims in this study were to analyze the relationship between flexibility and motor competence among adolescents; and, secondarily, to examine the relationships between motor competence and other HRPF components (body composition and musculoskeletal fitness). We conducted a longitudinal study (14-months follow-up) with two measurement points of 128 participants (55.5% girls; 45% boys) aged 12-13 years at baseline. We assessed HRPF components at the first time point and determined motor competence at the second time point. We assessed HRPF in terms of body composition (body fat percentage), musculoskeletal fitness (sit-up test), and flexibility (sit and reach). We determined motor competence using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK). We employed multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) to examine the effect of HRPF on motor competence through three models, in which each HRPF component was considered an independent variable. Sex, age, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI) z-scores were considered confounders. In our crude models all HRPF components significantly affected motor competence. In adjusted models, flexibility (p = .002) and body composition (p < .001) significantly affected motor competence. Overall, these results supported the assumptions that HRPF components are related to motor competence in adolescence, and that flexibility can affect motor competence in young people.

Fiabilidad y validez de las pruebas v-sit-and-reach y toe-touch en preescolares

Este estudio de carácter psicométrico tuvo como objetivo evaluar la fiabilidad y validez de las pruebas V-Sit and Reach (VS) y Toe –Touch (TT) en población preescolar. De un total inicial de 158 participantes, 132 realizaron las pruebas en tres ocasiones. La prueba de elevación pasiva de la pierna recta (PSLR) se usó como indicador de validez. Ambas pruebas mostraron una fiabilidad excelente (CCI=0,91-0,93 para el VS; CCI=0,93-0,97 para el TT). Se observaron correlaciones estadísticamente significativas (p<0,05) entre ambas herramientas y la prueba de PSLR para todos los grupos analizados, excepto en el TT en el grupo de 3 años de edad. En conclusión, estos hallazgos indican que tanto el VS como el TT son pruebas con una validez moderada para evaluar la flexibilidad de la parte inferior del cuerpo en preescolares. La prueba VS puede ser preferible sobre la prueba TT.

Physical fitness of Latin America children and adolescents: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Physical fitness (PF) is an important indicator of health in children and adolescents. Internationally, test batteries have been used to assess overall PF. In Latin America, however, while PF has been widely measured, there is no accepted test battery, making it difficult to monitor and/or compare the PF levels of Latin children. The aim of this study, therefore, is to systematically review and potentially meta-analyse the peer-reviewed literature regarding the assessment of PF in Latin American children and adolescents.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

This systematic review and meta-analysis will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols statement. The systematic literature search will be performed in MEDLINE, Scopus, SciELO, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, LILACS and Latindex (Spanish) to locate articles published up to April 2021. Eligible studies will include both descriptive and analytic study designs. Meta-analyses are planned for sufficiently homogeneous PF outcomes with regard to statistical and methodological characteristics. Narrative syntheses are planned for PF outcomes that are considered to be too heterogeneous. The statistical program STATA V.15 will be used for meta-analyses, with subgroup analyses performed according to the characteristics of included studies.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol is designed to provide updated evidence on the PF of Latin American children and adolescents. Findings from this review may be useful for teachers, researchers and other professionals responsible for paediatric fitness and health promotion/surveillance. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed scientific publications, conferences, educational talks and infographics.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020189892.

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.

Health-related physical fitness indicators and clustered cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents: A longitudinal study

Background/Objective

This study examined relationships between health-related physical fitness indicators and clustered cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescents between 2014 and 2017.

Methods

The sample consisted of 93 students (60% girls), with complete data sets in both 2014 and 2017. The physical fitness components evaluated were: flexibility (sit and reach), muscular fitness (curl-up and push-up), cardiorespiratory fitness (progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run), and body fat (BMI). The cardiometabolic risk factors were: waist circumference, blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides and fasting blood glucose. Z-scores were calculated for each risk factor, with the sum of risk factor z-scores values used to represent clustered cardiometabolic risk.

Results

The results of cross-sectional analysis indicated that muscle fitness (curl-up: β = −0.37, p < 0.001; push-up: β = −0.38, p < 0.005) and cardiorespiratory fitness (β = −0.56, p < 0.001) were inversely associated with clustered cardiometabolic risk, with BMI positively associated (β = 0.58, p < 0.001). In the longitudinal analysis, cardiorespiratory fitness (β = −0.33; p < 0.005) and body fat (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) demonstrated a significant association with clustered cardiometabolic risk. However, no significant associations between the health-related physical fitness and clustered cardiometabolic risk were observed after adjustment for baseline values.

Conclusion

Our cross-sectional findings highlight the importance of health-related physical fitness indicators to adolescents. In regarding the longitudinal analysis, further studies are needed in order to clarify the influence of physical fitness in the adolescence and cardiometabolic risk later in life.

Reference Values for Fitness Level and Gross Motor Skills of 4-6-Year-Old Chilean Children

In childhood, fitness level is considered an important indicator of health, while gross motor skills are the basis of future motor competence. So far, no reference values have been found for the Chilean population. Therefore, this study aims to provide fitness level and gross motor skill reference values by gender and age of Chilean children aged 4–6 years. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted that included 728 children between 4 and 6 years old from the La Araucanía region of Chile. To assess the fitness level, the 20-m shuttle run test, standing long jump, handgrip dynamometry, 4x10m shuttle run, and Sit and Reach tests were used. Gross motor skills were assessed by five tests including aiming and catching and balance motor tasks. For fitness level, boys have better values in the long jump and dynamometry test, while girls have better values in flexibility. For estimated maximum volume of oxygen, at 5 years old there are significant differences in favour of boys, while at 6 years old in favour of girls. No statistically significant differences in speed/agility by gender were found. For gross motor skills, boys obtain higher values for catching and aiming tests, and girls for balance. The reference values for fitness level and gross motor skills shown in this study could aid physical education and health professionals in identifying children with low reference values, as well as in establishing objectives that will help to improve their health.

Comparative analysis of gross motor coordination between overweight/obese and eutrophic children

Abstract Introduction: Overweight and obese children may have lower motor coordination score than normal-weight children. Objective: To compare gross motor coordination between overweight/obese and normal-weight children and investigate the associated factors with the motor coordination scores. Method: This cross-sectional study involved 169 children of both genders, aged 6-9 years. Children with malformations, bone, muscle, and joint or neurological disorders, and BMI z < -2 were excluded. Gross motor coordination was assessed by the “Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder” (KTK). The associated factors with the motor coordination scores were analyzed by linear regression. Results: The mean scores for balancing backwards (84.2 ± 13.2 vs. 91.0 ± 15.0), hopping over on one foot (127.9 ± 10.1 vs. 132.3 ± 12.1), shifting platforms sidewise (123.5 ± 23.4 vs. 129.8 ± 14.9), as well as the overall motor scores (112.5 ± 14.8 vs. 118.8 ± 11.6) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in overweight/obese children when compared to normal-weight children. The percentage of poor motor scores (< 85) in balancing backwards was higher in overweight/obese children (60.4% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.004) and was similar for jumping sideways (18.8% vs. 9.9%, p = 0.116), as well as for shifting platforms sidewise (6.3% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.070). By multiple linear regression analysis, the variables overweight/obesity and sports practice for less than 2 times/week decreased significantly (p < 0.05) the motor coordination score by -18.7 and -15.6 points, respectively. Conclusion: The overweight/obese children scored lower in the motor coordination tests compared to the normal-weight children. Overweight/obesity and low frequency of physical activity were associated with lower scores of gross motor coordination.

Developmental Change in Motor Competence: A Latent Growth Curve Analysis

BACKGROUND

The development of childhood motor competence demonstrates a high degree of inter-individual variation. Some children's competence levels increase whilst others' competence levels remain unchanged or even decrease over time. However, few studies have examined this developmental change in motor competence across childhood and little is known on influencing factors.

AIM

Using latent growth curve modeling (LGCM), the present longitudinal study aimed to investigate children's change in motor competence across a 2-year timespan and to examine the potential influence of baseline weight status and physical fitness on their trajectory of change in motor competence.

METHODS

558 children (52.5% boys) aged between 6 and 9 years participated in this study. Baseline measurements included weight status, motor competence (i.e., Körperkoördinationstest für Kinder; KTK) and physical fitness (i.e., sit and reach, standing long jump and the 20 m shuttle run test). Motor competence assessment took place three times across a 2-year timespan. LGCM was conducted to examine change in motor competence over time.

RESULTS

The analyses showed a positive linear change in motor competence across 2 years (β = 28.48, p < 0.001) with significant variability in children's individual trajectories (p < 0.001). Girls made less progress than boys (β = -2.12, p = 0.01). Children who were older at baseline demonstrated less change in motor competence (β = -0.33, p < 0.001). Weight status at baseline was negatively associated with change in motor competence over time (β = -1.418, p = 0.002). None of the physical fitness components, measured at baseline, were significantly associated with change in motor competence over time.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS

This longitudinal study reveals that weight status significantly influences children's motor competence trajectories whilst physical fitness demonstrated no significant influence on motor competence trajectories. Future studies should further explore children's differential trajectories over time and potential factors influencing that change.

Modelling the dynamics of children's gross motor coordination

This study modelled children's gross motor coordination, investigated sex-differences and identified the effects of fixed and dynamic correlates on motor coordination development. A total of 344 Portuguese children (170 girls), from 6 age cohorts (5 to 9 years of age), were followed consecutively for three years (age range 5 to 11 years) using a mixed-longitudinal cohort design. Birth weight, hand dominance and socioeconomic status (SES) were identified. Gross motor coordination, body mass index, physical fitness (PF) and physical activity (PA) were assessed annually. A sequence of multilevel hierarchical linear models were developed. Model 1 found that age, age², sex, sex-by-age and sex-by-age² were significant predictors (p < 0.05) of gross motor coordination. Boys outperformed girls from 6 years of age onwards. Model 2 found a cohort effect (p < 0.05). Model 3 found that right handers were more coordinated (p < 0.05). When the confounders of body mass index, PF and PA were added to the model (Model 4) it was found that boys and girls had parallel trajectories in their gross motor coordination development. In conclusion children with increasing body mass index were less coordinated, while those who were stronger and more agile had steeper trajectories of gross motor coordination with age.

Longitudinal associations between motor competence and different physical activity intensities: LabMed physical activity study

An appropriated level of motor competence is essential for children´s healthy growth and development and a key factor in the promotion of lifelong active lifestyles and health. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between motor competence and different physical activity intensities (light, moderate, moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous physical activity), as well as total physical activity, over a two-year period, in adolescents. The sample comprised of 103 adolescents (13.49 ± 0.87 years, 53 girls), from the north of Portugal. Motor competence was evaluated with the body coordination test, Körperkoordination-Test-für-Kinder. Physical activity was objectively assessed with GT1M accelerometers (ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL, USA). Physical activity variables were expressed as proportions of accelerometer wear time. Regression analyses showed positive longitudinal associations between motor competence at baseline and moderate physical activity (B = 0.0033, p = 0.018), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (B = 0.0052, p = 0.024) and total physical activity (B = 0.067, p = 0.040) at follow up, after adjustments for age, sex, the corresponding physical activity intensity at baseline, body mass index, pubertal stage and socioeconomic status. Our findings highlight the importance of motor competence development to promote moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during adolescence.

Prevalence and correlates of resistance training skill competence in adolescents

The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence and correlates of adolescents' resistance training (RT) skill competence. Participants were 548 adolescents (14.1 ± 0.5 years) from 16 schools in New South Wales, Australia. RT skills were assessed using the Resistance Training Skills Battery. Demographics, BMI, muscular fitness, perceived strength, RT self-efficacy, and motivation for RT were also assessed. The proportion demonstrating "competence" and "near competence" in each of the six RT skills were calculated and sex differences explored. Associations between the combined RT skill score and potential correlates were examined using multi-level linear mixed models. Overall, the prevalence of competence was low (range = 3.3% to 27.9%). Females outperformed males on the squat, lunge and overhead press, whereas males performed better on the push-up (p < .05). Significant associations were seen for a number of correlates, which largely differed by sex. Muscular fitness was moderately and positively associated with RT skills among both males (β = 0.34, 95%CIs = 0.23 to 0.46) and females (β = 0.36, 95%CIs = 0.23 to 0.48). Our findings support a link between RT skills and muscular fitness. Other associations were statistically significant but small in magnitude, and should therefore be interpreted cautiously.