Association of Physical Fitness and Anthropometric Parameters With Lung Function in 7-Year-Old Children.

PURPOSE: Associations between health-related parameters and lung function remain unclear in childhood. The study aims to evaluate the relationship between physical fitness and anthropometric parameters with the lung function of healthy scholar-aged children. METHOD: A total of 418 children aged 7 years old participated in this study. The associations of physical fitness (handgrip strength, standing broad jump, and 800-m run) and anthropometric (waist circumference and body mass index) parameters with lung function (forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s) were analyzed using a mixed-linear regression model. RESULTS: Girls had significantly lower forced vital capacity values (P = .006) and physical fitness (P < .030) compared to boys. On mixed-linear regression analyses, waist circumference (P = .003) was independently associated with forced vital capacity, explaining 34.6% of its variance, while handgrip strength (P = .042) and waist circumference (P = .010) were independently associated with forced expiratory volume in 1 second, accounting together for 26.5% of its variance in 7-year-old healthy children. CONCLUSIONS: Handgrip strength and waist circumference were associated with lung function in healthy children highlighting the influence of upper body muscular strength and trunk dimension on lung function. Our results corroborate the need to promote physical fitness during childhood to protect against lung complications in later on in life.

Integrated neuromuscular training intervention applied in schools induces a higher increase in salivary high molecular weight adiponectin and a more favorable body mass index, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength in children as compared to the traditional physical education classes.

Background: High-molecular-weight adiponectin (HMW-adiponectin) is a cardio-metabolic health protector. Objectives: (1) to compare body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscle strength (MS) in healthy school-children depending on their baseline salivary-HMW-adiponectin concentration; and (2) to apply a 3-month integrated neuromuscular training (INT) and evaluate its effects on salivary-HMW-adiponectin concentration, BMI, CRF and MS in the same children. Additional goal: to identify if any potential changes during the 3-month period may be related to a potential change in salivary-HMW-adiponectin concentration. Methods: Ninety children (7.4 ± 0.3 years) were recruited in primary schools and randomly allocated into control or intervention group. The intervention consisted of a 3-month INT applied during physical education (PE) classes, twice-weekly, while the control group had traditional PE classes. Body mass and height were measured, BMI was calculated and HMW-adiponectin was quantified in saliva. To assess CRF and MS, 800 m-run and hand-dynamometry were applied, respectively. All measurements were performed twice, at baseline and after 3 months. Results: Children with higher baseline salivary-HMW-adiponectin have more favorable BMI (p = 0.006) and slightly higher CRF (p = 0.017) in comparison to the children with lower baseline salivary-HMW-adiponectin. There were no big changes after the 3-month-period neither in the control, nor the INT group. However, it is worthy to note that the INT induced slightly higher increase in salivary-HMW-adiponectin (p = 0.007), and a slightly higher improvement in BMI (p = 0.028), CRF (p = 0.043) and MS (p = 0.003), as compared to the traditional PE classes. Finally, the INT-induced improvement in CRF was associated with the increased post-salivary-HMW-adiponectin concentration (p = 0.022). Conclusion: Main findings may suggest the potential utility of an INT as a cost-effective strategy that can be applied in schools to induce cardio-protective effects in school-children.

Salivary cardiac-enriched FHL2-interacting protein is associated with higher diastolic-to-systolic-blood pressure ratio, sedentary time and center of pressure displacement in healthy 7-9 years old school-children.

Introduction: Cardiac-enriched FHL2-interacting protein (CEFIP) is a recently identified protein, first found in the z-disc of striated muscles, and related to cardiovascular diseases. Our objectives are: 1) to quantify CEFIP in saliva in healthy 7-9 years old school-children; and 2) to assess the associations of salivary CEFIP concentration and blood pressure, physical (in)activity and physical fitness in these children. Methods: A total of 72 children (7.6 ± 0.3 years) were included in the study, recruited in primary schools in Girona (Spain). A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used (abx506878; Abbexa, United Kingdom) to quantify CEFIP in saliva. Anthropometric evaluation was performed [body mass, height and body mass index (BMI)]. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured by means of an electronic oscillometer and the diastolic-to-systolic blood pressure ratio (D/S BP ratio) was calculated. Physical (in)activity [sedentary time and time spent in physical activity (PA)] were assessed by means of a triaxial Actigraph GT3X accelerometer (Actigraph, Pensacola, FL, USA) that children were instructed to wear for 24h during 7 conssecutive days. Finally, physical fitness (speed and agility, explosive power of legs, handgrip strength, flexibility and balance) were assessed through validated and standardized testing batteries. Results: CEFIP was easily detected and measured in all saliva samples (mean concentration: 0.6 ± 0.2 pg/ml). Salivary CEFIP was positively associated with D/S BP ratio (r=0.305, p=0.010) and sedentary time (r=0.317, p=0.012), but negatively associated with PA in 7-9 years old school-children (r=-0.350, p=0.002). Furthermore, salivary CEFIP was related to lower level of balance i.e., higher center of pressure (CoP) displacement in these children (r=0.411, p<0.001). The associations of salivary CEFIP with D/S BP ratio (Beta=0.349, p=0.004), sedentary time (Beta=0.354, p=0.009) and CoP displacement (Beta=0.401, p=0.001), were maintained significant after adjustment for potential confounding variables such as age, gender and BMI in linear regression analyses. Conclusion: CEFIP can be easily assessed in saliva as a promising biomarker associated with cardiovascular health in 7-9 years old school-children. Interestingly, higher salivary CEFIP concentration was related to higher D/S BP ratio, more sedentary time and higher CoP displacement i.e., lower level of balance in these children.

Lifestyle as a Modulator of the Effects on Fitness of an Integrated Neuromuscular Training in Primary Education.

The objective was to evaluate changes in fitness after an integrated neuromuscular training (INT) intervention in primary school children and to evaluate how lifestyle behaviors and parental education modulate these changes. One hundred and seventy children (7.45 ± 0.34 years; 52% girls) were included. Cardiorespiratory fitness (half-mile run test), a 10 × 5 m shuttle run test, standing broad jump (SBJ), handgrip dynamometer, body mass index (BMI) and fat mass percentage (FM%) were assessed before and after the 3-month intervention (20 min of INT in the physical education class, twice per week). The Mediterranean diet (MD), sleep time and parental education level (PEL) were evaluated by questionnaires, and adherence to physical activity (PA) recommendations was measured with a triaxial accelerometer before the intervention. After the intervention, there were improvements in the 10 × 5 test and the SBJ. Only girls had improvements in the handgrip test, BMI SDS and FM%. After correcting for confounding variables, only BMI was significantly improved whereas strength improved in the participants non-compliant with the PA recommendations or pertaining to families of high PEL. The INT produced improvements in fitness in a brief period and in different subgroups of pupils (inactive and with diverse sociocultural environments).

Insulin resistance, C-reactive protein, diastolic to systolic blood pressure ratio and epicardial fat are related to sedentary time, and inversely related to physical activity in school-aged children.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for the overall health. Objectives are: (1) To compare metabolic (MRM) and cardiovascular-risk-markers (CRM) in children according to their PA-level; (2) to explore the associations of MRM and CRM with PA and sedentary time (ST); and (3) to identify the associations between MRM and CRM in less (LA) and more active (MA) children. Methods: A total of 238 apparently healthy school-aged children were enrolled (132 boys/106 girls; 9.1 ± 1.8 years) and body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS) and blood pressure were assessed. Fasting venous blood sampling was performed to assess insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and high-sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Epicardial fat, interventricular septal and left ventricular posterior wall thicknesses were assessed by high-resolution ultrasonography. PA and ST were assessed by enKid-questionnaire. Children were classified based on enKid-score as being LA and MA (below and above 50th percentile for PA). Results: MA-children had lower values for: BMI SDS, diastolic-to-systolic blood pressure ratio, HOMA-IR and hsCRP (7.02 to 61.5% lower, p = 0.040 to p < 0.0001) compared to LA-children. MRM and CRM were positively associated with ST (p = 0.003 to p < 0.001), and negatively associated with PA (p = 0.044 to p < 0.001). Finally, MRM were positively associated with CRM (p = 0.008 to p < 0.0001). Interestingly, the latter associations were observed in LA-children but were not present in MA-children. Conclusion: More PA is associated with better cardio-metabolic profile in school-aged children. PA seems to modulate the associations between MRM and CRM, thus reinforcing the idea that fostering PA in children may lower the risk for development of a cardio-metabolic disease.

¿Por qué es importante desarrollar la competencia motriz en la infancia y la adolescencia? Base para un estilo de vida saludable / Why is it important to develop motor competence in childhood and adolescence? The basis for a healthy lifestyle

La competencia motriz (CM) es la manifestación de la habilidad motriz (HM) como respuesta contextualizada. La CM contribuye a que los jóvenes dispongan de un mayor repertorio de opciones motrices en la que se sientan competentes. En sentido opuesto, la incompetencia motriz puede llevar a una inhibición o inactividad progresiva que a la vez genera más incompetencia y menos adherencia a la actividad física (AF) en la infancia y la edad adulta. La evidencia científica muestra cómo la inclusión de AF orientada a la vivencia de experiencias ricas en HM, desarrollada por especialistas en educación física, favorecen el desarrollo de la CM en los jóvenes. A su vez, existen evidencias de que el trabajo neuromuscular integrado mejora la salud y el rendimiento de las HM. En esta línea, el presente trabajo tiene un enfoque triple: (a) definir la relación entre la CM y la práctica de AF saludable (b) justificar la necesidad de establecer un diagnóstico para el desorden por déficit de ejercicio, y (c) proponer el trabajo neuromuscular integrado como metodología para mejorar la condición física y la CM de los niños y adolescentes (AU)

Motor competence (MC) is the contextualised manifestation of fundamental motor skills (FMS). A good MC helps young people have a greater repertoire of motor options in which they feel competent to decide on their lifestyle. On the other hand, motor incompetence can lead to inhibition or progressive inactivity, which in turn generates more incompetence and fewer adherences to physical activity (PA) in childhood and adulthood. A recent meta-analysis indicated that the inclusion of PA programs oriented to participate in rich experiences in FMS, developed by specialists in physical education, increase the development of MC in young people. In turn, the evidence shows that the integrated neuromuscular training improves health and performance of FMS. In this context, the present work analyses three approaches: (I) to define the relationship between MC and healthy PA; (II) to justify the need to establish a diagnosis for exercise deficit disorder, and (III) to propose integrated neuromuscular training (INT) as a methodology to improve physical fitness and MC in children and adolescents (AU)

Las emociones en el deporte: Conceptos empleados en un modelo tridimensional / Sport emotions: the concepts used in a tri-dimensional model / As emoções no desporto: conceitos utilizados num modelo tridimensional

La psicología del deporte utiliza modelos dimensionales para organizar el complejo mundo de las emociones. Este trabajo estudia los con- ceptos empleados en el modelo de Latinjak (2012), que incorpora la perspectiva temporal a las dimensiones tradicionales de valor y activación en el ámbito deportivo. El objetivo principal del presente estudio fue determinar los conceptos más pertinentes para las ocho emociones principales del modelo. Para ello se realizó una investigación en tres etapas consistentes en (a) encontrar conceptos diferentes para las ocho emociones, (b) escoger el más ade- cuado en cada caso, y (c) comprobar su especificidad. Para cada etapa se empleó una muestra diferente y medidas ajustadas a los objetivos. Los resultados permiten indicar los conceptos que mejor definen las ocho emociones principales señaladas en Latinjak (2012), y aportar evidencias en favor de la pers- pectiva temporal. Finalmente, se discuten algunas aportaciones teóricas y prácticas y las limitaciones del estudio

Dimensional models are used in sport and exercise psychology to organize the complex world of emotions. This study focused on Latinjak's (2012) model which added time perspective to two traditional dimensions: valence and arousal. The purpose of this study was to determine which concepts would best fit for the eight main emotions described in the model. It was carried out in three steps: (a) finding different concepts for each emotion, (b) choosing the most adequate in each case, and (c) verifying their specificity. Each step used a different sample and appropriate measures to fulfil its purpose. The results of this study showed one concept for each emotion of Latinjak's (2012) model, and offered evidence in favour of the time perspective. Finally, theoretical and practical implications alongside limitations of this study were discussed

psicologia do desporto utiliza modelos dimensionais para organizar o complexo mundo das emoções. Este trabalho estuda os conceitosutilizados no modelo de Latinjak (2012), que incorpora a perspectiva temporal e as dimensões tradicionais de valor e activação no âmbito desportivo.O objectivo principal do presente estudo foi determinar os conceitos mais pertinentes para as oito principais dimensões do modelo. Para tal, realizou-seuma investigação em três etapas que consistiram em (a) encontrar conceitos diferentes para as oito emoções, (b) escolher o mais adequado em cadacaso, e (c) comprovar a sua especificidade. Os resultados permitem identificar os conceitos que melhor definem as oito emoções principais constantesem Latinjak (2012), e fornecer evidências a favor da perspectiva temporal. Finalmente, são discutidas algumas contribuições teóricas e práticas, bemcomo as limitações do estudo