The Sport Experience Measure for Children and Youth (SEM:CY): A Rasch Validation Study.

This study employed Rasch analyses to validate a novel measure of sport experience: the Sport Experience Measure: Children and Youth (SEM:CY). Analyses were applied to self-reported data of n = 503 young people (age 9-18 years, M = 12.91, 50% female) in Canada who were engaging in sport during the previous 12 months. The revised measure, consisting of 24 items on a 3-point response scale, demonstrated good fit statistics (e.g., item fit residual: M = -0.50, SD = 0.94 and person fit residual: M = -0.62, SD = 2.33), an ability to reliably discriminate between levels of sport experience, and an absence of differential item functioning for various groups (males and females, older and younger individuals, solo and team sports, and those playing at various competitive levels, including recreation). The SEM:CY is a succinct tool that can serve as a valuable means to gauge the quality of an individual's sport experience, which can facilitate positive youth development and sustain participation across the life span.

Exercise identity and physical activity behavior during late adolescence: A four wave cross-lagged panel model.

Research has shown that physical activity behavior tends to decline across adolescence before stabilizing in adulthood. Identifying salient factors underlying these behavioral changes is therefore imperative for informing intervention development. This study explored the temporal nature of the relationship between exercise identity and physical activity behavior during the transition out of high school. An analysis of data from the Application of integrated Approaches to understanding Physical activity during the Transition to emerging adulthood (ADAPT) prospective cohort study was conducted, involving 1451 Canadian adolescents (Mage = 15.93 ± 0.53 years; 52.4% female). Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form to report weekly moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and an abbreviated version of the Exercise Identity Scale yearly for four years beginning in Grade 11. A four-wave cross-lagged panel model was used to test bi-directional associations between exercise identity and physical activity behavior. Significant auto-regressive effects for exercise identity and physical activity were observed across all four time points. Significant positive cross-lagged paths were observed for exercise identity predicting future physical activity at all time points; however, none of the cross-lagged paths with physical activity predicting future exercise identity were significant. Collectively, these findings support existing theory that emphasizes the role that identity plays in physical activity behavior. Interventions seeking to attenuate the physical activity declines typically observed during the transition to emerging adulthood should therefore consider adopting behavior change techniques that target identity, as it appears to be an important psychological determinant underlying future physical activity engagement.

Reliability of field- and laboratory-based assessments of health-related fitness in preschool-aged children.

OBJECTIVES: Reliable measurements of health-related fitness-cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, muscular strength, body composition, and flexibility-are imperative for understanding and tracking health-related fitness from the preschool age. This study aimed to examine the test-retest reliability of field-based (i.e., sit and reach [standard and back-saver], standing long jump, grip strength); and laboratory-based (i.e., Bruce Protocol Treadmill Test, Wingate Anaerobic Test) assessments of health-related fitness in preschool aged children (4-5 years). METHODS: Forty-two typically developing children participated in both assessment time points separated by 2-3 weeks. All fitness assessments were administered individually and repeated in the same order by the same assessor. Heteroscedasticity was examined for each parameter. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess test-retest reliability. RESULTS: All parameters were homoscedastic. Test-retest reliability for the field-based tests and Bruce Protocol Treadmill Test parameters were moderate to good. Test-retest reliability for the Wingate Test parameters were good to excellent for maximum pedal rate, peak power, and peak power/kg; mean power and fatigue measured at 10 and 30 s demonstrated moderate to excellent test-retest reliability. CONCLUSION: The standard sit and reach, grip strength, and short-term muscle power from the Wingate test are reliable assessments of health-related fitness in preschool-aged children.

The golden ratio in baseball: the influence of historical eras on winning percentages in major league baseball.

Introduction: The golden section or golden ratio (61.8% or 0.618) is a mathematical phenomenon that appears in art, literature, music and nature with such ubiquity that it is thought to be a fundamental principle of aesthetic organisation. The golden ratio also manifests in sport, particularly as the proportion of wins to losses required to win a Major League Baseball championship. This study extends early work on the golden ratio in baseball by incorporating more than three decades of additional data. Methods: This study involved a historically contextualized examination of how winning percentages have changed across the seven historical eras of modern baseball, including analyses of the relative contribution of offensive and defensive statistics to championship winning teams. Data was extracted from Baseball Reference and included statistics for 398 championship winning teams from both the American and National Leagues between 1901 and 2019. Pearson correlation coefficients were computed for winning percentage with indicators of offensive and defensive performance during each era. Main and interaction effects of Era and League on winning percentage were examined using factorial ANOVA, with follow-up analyses examining whether the golden ratio was included in each factor's 95% confidence interval. Results: Our findings suggest that winning percentages for championship teams were closest to the golden ratio during eras where the relative contribution of offense and defense was most closely balanced: the Integration Era (1942-1960) and the Expansion Era (1961-1976). Discussion: Previous scholarship theorizes that the golden ratio represents an aesthetic ideal or a Gestalt archetype. If this aesthetic theory is applied to sporting competition, these results suggest that baseball may be most aesthetically appealing to fans when offense and defense is balanced in such a way as to ensure that championship teams win 61.8% of their games.

Towards the development of a quality youth sport experience measure: Understanding participant and stakeholder perspectives.

Quality sport experiences may be a key underlying mechanism through which continued sport participation may facilitate positive youth development. However, what constitutes a quality sport experience for youth is poorly understood due to a lack of comprehensiveness among existing measures. This study aimed to identify the salient factors that constitute quality sport experience for youth by capturing athletes and stakeholder perspectives with a broader goal of developing a more robust quality sport experiences measure. A total of 53 youth athletes and stakeholders (i.e., parents, coaches, and sport administrators) completed semi-structured interviews or focus groups about what they felt were important aspects of a quality sport experience for youth. Inductive content analysis of the data identified four themes representing important indicators for a quality sport experience for youth: fun and enjoyment, opportunity for sport skill development and progress, social support and sense of belonging, and open and effective communication. These higher order themes were found among each of the groups that have important interpersonal relationships with athletes, as well as among athletes themselves. Each of these themes were also related to one another. Collectively, findings outline a framework to understand what constitutes a quality sport experience for youth. The Quality Sport Experience Framework for Youth will help in the development of a quantitative tool to assess this construct and enable researchers to examine how these experiences contribute to continued engagement in sport and positive developmental outcomes among youth sport participants.

Development and evaluation of the IPLAY program: A protocol for a mixed-methods feasibility study targeting newcomer youth.

BACKGROUND: Physical Literacy (PL) is a synthesis construct that ties together movement competencies with affective, motivational, and knowledge-based elements. It is considered foundational to the development of physical activity-related outcomes. Many diverse organizations and programs have embraced the concept and are implementing programs targeting each of those core elements. However, research has lagged behind its interest and adoption. Among the more prominent gaps is the design and evaluation of programs that aim to increase PL within special populations such as new immigrants or refugee youth. METHODS: The Immigrant-focused Physical Literacy for Youth (IPLAY) program is a co-developed evidence-informed 8-week PL program designed for new immigrant and refugee youths who have recently settled in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. This study aims to use a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach to collect, analyse, and interpret quantitative and qualitative data in the evaluation and iteration of the IPLAY program. DISCUSSION: PL programs can be used as a tool to build confidence and physical competencies among newcomer youth. Furthermore, academic-community collaborations in the design and delivery of PL programs can help improve the access and interest for PL programs among newcomer youth. These partnerships are critical and timely considering the recent and upcoming waves of immigration to "arrival cities" across Canada.

Healthier movement behavior profiles are associated with higher psychological wellbeing among emerging adults attending post-secondary education.

BACKGROUND: Emerging adulthood is a stressful time fraught with new challenges while attending higher education. Identifying protective factors to help reduce the psychological burden that many will experience during this period is therefore important. This study aimed to identify whether emerging adults attending post-secondary education can be classified into distinct profiles based on their 24-h movement behaviors, evaluate correlates of profile membership, and examine relationships between profile membership and indicators of mental health. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from Cycle 1 of the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey. Emerging adults (N = 15,080; 67.6 % female; mean age = 20.78 ± 2.00) from 20 post-secondary institutions in Canada self-reported their movement behaviors - moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), recreational screen time (ST) and sleep - and completed measures of psychological distress and mental wellbeing. Latent profile analysis was employed. RESULTS: Five profiles were identified: low ST with very high (12.6 %), high (24.4 %) and low MVPA (51.2 %) as well as high ST with high (2.3 %) and low MVPA (9.4 %). Profiles had similar sleep patterns and were thus characterized by differences in MVPA and ST. Several socio-demographic variables were associated with profile membership. Profiles characterized by healthier combinations of MVPA, ST and sleep generally reported more favorable scores for indicators of mental health. LIMITATIONS: Cross-sectional data limits causal inference, whereas self-reports may be biased. CONCLUSIONS: Campus-based interventions should focus on getting students to engage in a healthy balance of physical activity and recreational screen use as it has the potential to reduce the mental health burden on emerging adults attending post-secondary education.

Understanding Changes in Adolescent Physical Activity Behaviors and Cognitions Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Despite accumulating evidence that has found significant negative declines in physical activity (PA) as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, little work has sought to understand how PA cognitions have changed during this period and in relation to behavior change during the pandemic. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the changes in adolescents' PA behaviors and cognitions associated with COVID-19 and prospective predictors of PA using the Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) framework. Adolescents were recruited from a large school board and a total of 588 participants (Mage = 15.87 ± 0.43 years, 60% female) completed data collection in both Fall 2019 and 2020-prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed self-reported measures of moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), participation in organized activities, and variables derived from the M-PAC framework. Mixed effects models were computed to examine longitudinal changes in MVPA and cognitions as well as whether cognitions prior to COVID-19 predict MVPA during COVID-19. A generalized estimating equations model was computed to examine longitudinal changes for participation in organized activities. Findings indicated that MVPA (B = -56.41, p < 0.01) and participation in organized activities (OR = 0.33, p < 0.01) significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Correspondingly, there were significant decreases in intentions (B = -0.34), identity (B = -0.19), and habit (B = -0.20), though there were increases in behavioral regulation (B = 0.18). No significant changes were found in affective attitudes, instrumental attitudes, perceived opportunity, and perceived capability. Among the baseline M-PAC cognitions, habit (B = 46.28) was the lone significant predictor of MVPA during COVID-19. Overall results suggest that adolescents' PA behaviors and cognitions were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, along with promising evidence that restrictions prompted adaptive utilization of behavioral regulation skills. Moreover, habit appears to play a salient role in predicting PA behaviors during uncertain times involving major life disruptions. These findings highlight the need to dedicate additional attention to PA promotion as COVID-19 moves toward an endemic phase, and that interventions targeting habit formation may be critical for helping adolescents better sustain healthy active lifestyles during major life changes.

Evaluated interventions addressing developmental transitions for youth with mental health disorders: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The objective of this meta-analysis was to provide a quantitative synthesis of the effects of studies evaluating developmentally appropriate programs or interventions for transition-age youth with mental health disorders. METHODS: Studies, between January 1992 and March 2021, were included if they contained a sample population with a median age between 12 and 25 years and with a mental health disorder and described the results of health interventions addressing aspects of developmental transitions. Independent reviewers screened study texts and assessed the risk of bias. Random effects meta-analysis was used to pool data on standardized mean differences. RESULTS: Under neurodevelopmental studies (6), the effect size of interventions measuring social outcomes was 1.00 (95% CI: -0.01 to 2.00), parental stress levels was -0.10 (95% CI:-0.74 to 0.55), autism symptoms was -0.40 (95% CI: -1.58 to 0.78), and self-determination was 0.16 (95% CI:-0.38 to 0.70). Under mental illness studies (3), the effect size of interventions measuring adolescent depressive symptoms was 0.48 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.96) and parental depressive symptoms was 1.09 (95% CI: 0.20 to 1.97). CONCLUSIONS: There is no effect of interventions except on parental depressive symptoms under mental illness studies. Further research with comparable outcomes and assessments is needed.Implications for rehabilitation:Interventions for youth with mental health disorders should be developmentally appropriate and incorporate elements to assist youth in multiple aspects of their lives.The following approaches should be considered in interventions: skills training, prevocational/vocational guidance, a client-centered approach, and/or an ecological/experiential approach.Intervention researchers and practitioners should incorporate similar outcome assessment tools and measures in order to allow for valid comparisons between intervention effectiveness.

Application of the Multi-Process Action Control Model to Predict Physical Activity During Late Adolescence.

The aim of this study was to apply the Multi-Process Action Control model to examine how the additions of regulatory and reflexive processes predict physical activity (PA) behaviors among adolescents. Our sample included 1,176 Grade 11 students (Mage = 15.85 ± 0.38) recruited from a large school board in Southern Ontario. Participants completed a questionnaire including measures of self-reported PA and PA cognitions derived from the Multi-Process Action Control model. Results found the reflective process explaining 16.5% of the variance in PA, with the additions of regulatory and reflexive processes significantly improving the explained variance by 5.1% and 8.2%, respectively. Final models revealed coping planning (estimate = 45.10, p = .047), identity (estimate = 55.82, p < .001), and habit (estimate = 64.07, p < .001) as significant predictors of PA. Findings reinforce the need for integrative models to better understand PA, with coping planning, habit formation, and development of an active identity to be salient targets for intervention during adolescence.

Cross-Sectional Associations Between Wake-Time Movement Compositions and Mental Health in Preschool Children With and Without Motor Coordination Problems.

Movement behaviors have been found to be important correlates of health for children and may be particularly important for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) who often experience greater mental health problems. To date, however, little research has investigated the daily movement composition of preschool children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and/or its association with mental health. The purpose of the current study was to: (1) examine whether differences in movement compositions (i.e., sedentary time, light physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) exist between typically developing (TD) preschool-age children and those at risk for DCD (rDCD); and (2) investigate associations between movement compositions and mental health indicators. This cross-sectional study used the baseline cohort data from the Coordination and Activity Tracking in CHildren (CATCH) study. A total of 589 preschool-age children (Mage = 4.94 ± 0.59 years; 57.4% boys) were included in this analysis, of which 288 scored at or below the 16th percentile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 and were thus classified as rDCD. Wake time movement behaviors were measured using accelerometers and parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist to assess their child's mental health (i.e., internalizing and externalizing problems). Compositional data analysis techniques were used. After adjusting for potential confounders, the results demonstrated similar movement compositions between TD and rDCD children. Among the full sample, findings revealed a significant association between sedentary time and externalizing problems, however, each of the other associations did not reach statistical significance. These results are consistent with emerging evidence demonstrating similar patterns of physical activity and sedentary time among TD children and those classified as rDCD during the preschool years. Although movement behaviors explained little variance in mental health during this period, future research should investigate when movement compositions diverge, and how these changes may impact the mental health of TD children and those classified as rDCD later in childhood.

Movement Behaviors and Mental Wellbeing: A Cross-Sectional Isotemporal Substitution Analysis of Canadian Adolescents.

Background: Studies have shown reallocating screen time for healthy movement behaviors such as physical activity and sleep can provide important benefits for mental health. However, the focus on positive aspects of mental health such as wellbeing has received limited attention, particularly among adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of reallocating physical activity, screen time, and sleep on mental wellbeing in adolescents. Methods: This study involved cross-sectional analysis of data from Wave 1 of the ADAPT study. A total of 1,118 Canadian adolescents enrolled in grade 11 classes (MAGE = 15.92; 54.5% female) self-reported their movement behaviors using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form to assess moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and daily recall questionnaires to assess recreational screen time and sleep. Participants also completed three measures of mental wellbeing: the Flourishing Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and a brief Resiliency scale from the Canadian Campus Wellbeing Survey. Results: Isotemporal substitution analysis revealed replacing 60 min of screen time with either moderate-to-vigorous physical activity or sleep has significant benefits for mental wellbeing. Comparatively, reallocating 60 min between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sleep does not impact mental wellbeing. Discussion: Findings suggest healthy movement behaviors confer similar beneficial effects for adolescent's mental wellbeing. Health promotion campaigns targeted toward adolescents should consider highlighting that reallocation of screen time to either sleep or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity may provide important benefits for mental wellbeing.

Evaluating the impact of Archway: a personalized program for 1st year student success and mental health and wellbeing.

BACKGROUND: First-year students entering postsecondary education must navigate a new and complex academic and social environment. Research indicates that this transition and developmental period can be challenging and stressful - academically, emotionally and socially - and that mental health and wellbeing can be compromised. Additionally, mental health disorders can also compromise students' ability to successfully navigate this transition. In the COVID-19 pandemic, the incoming 2020 cohort of first-year students face heightened and new challenges. Most will have spent the conclusion of high school learning virtually, in quarantine, in an uncertain and difficult time, and are then experiencing their first year of university while living, learning and socializing off-campus, virtually and remotely. In response to COVID-19 and with an appreciation of the considerable stresses students face generally and particularly in 2020-21, and the potential effects on mental health and wellbeing, McMaster University, a mid-sized research intensive university with approximately 30,000 students, has developed an innovative program to support students, called Archway. This initiative has been developed to help to prevent and to intervene early to address common transitional issues students experience that can influence mental health and wellbeing, with the ultimate goals of increasing student connectedness, supports, and retention. METHODS: The current study will use a mixed-method design to evaluate Archway and gain a better understanding of the transition into first-year postsecondary for students who engage and participate in Archway at various levels. The study will not only help to determine the effect of this program for students during COVID-19, but it will help us to better understand the challenges of this transition more broadly. DISCUSSION: Findings have the potential to inform future efforts to support students and protect their mental health and wellbeing through the use of virtual and remote platforms and mechanisms that meet their increasingly diverse needs and circumstances.

Does physical activity and BMI mediate the association between DCD and internalizing problems in early childhood? A partial test of the Environmental Stress Hypothesis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Young children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are more likely to experience internalizing problems, such as depression and anxiety, than typically developing (TD) children. Currently, the underlying mechanisms resulting in increased internalizing problems in DCD remains unknown; however, a previous study based on the Environmental Stress Hypothesis (ESH) indicated that physical inactivity and obesity may mediate the relationship between DCD and internalizing problems. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships among DCD, internalizing problems, physical activity, and BMI, and the role of sex in these relationships in preschool children, a population for which we currently have very limited data. METHODS: Young children between the ages of 4 and 5 years enrolled in the Coordination and Activity Tracking in CHildren (CATCH) study comprised the sample (n = 589). Of these, 288 (193 boys, 67.0%) were classified as at risk for DCD (rDCD), based on scoring at or below 16th percentile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children - Second Edition. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers and height and weight were measured by trained research assistants, while parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist to rate internalizing problems. The mediating effects of physical activity and BMI were tested on the relationship between rDCD and internalizing problems. RESULTS: Children with rDCD reported more internalizing problems than TD children. While there was a direct effect of rDCD on internalizing problems, neither physical activity nor BMI were found to mediate this relationship. CONCLUSION: The findings from this study support co-occurring internalizing problems in preschool children with DCD, and extend these findings to demonstrate that this relationship is not explained by physical activity or BMI in early childhood. Further research should be directed toward other psychosocial factors identified in the ESH to better understand the underlying mechanisms between DCD and co-occurring internalizing problems.

Stopping the Drop: Examining the Impact of a Pilot Physical Literacy-Based Intervention Program on Physical Activity Behaviours and Fitness during the Transition into University.

The move to university is a major life transition associated with precipitous declines in physical activity (PA). While it remains unclear how these declines can be best attenuated, the concept of physical literacy (PL) or enhancements of PL may be a promising modality to promote PA during life transitions. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the impact of a pilot PL-based intervention on PA and fitness for students transitioning into university. Participants included 65 first-year students (Mage = 17.85 ± 0.51; n = 46 females), enrolled in a quasi-experimental study. Intervention participants (n = 26) participated in a 12-week novel movement skills program conducted in a group-based environment. Results from the 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA found moderate effects in the time by condition interaction F(1,56) = 2.70, p = 0.11, ηp2 = 0.08 for PA behaviors as well as for estimated cardiorespiratory fitness F(1,61) = 8.35, p = 0.005, ηp2 = 0.12. Findings from our pilot program suggest that PL may be an effective modality to help first-year university students maintain fitness and attenuate the declines in PA behaviors when transitioning into university. Similar trials with larger samples are required.

Motor Coordination and Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in Emerging Adults: Mediating Effect of Physical Self-Concept.

Little research has investigated the relationships among motor coordination, perceived physical self-concept (PSC), and physical activity during emerging adulthood. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether PSC mediates the relationship between motor coordination and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in emerging adults. This was a cross-sectional study with 218 undergraduate students aged 17-23 years (167 females, 76.6%). Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire including self-reported measures of motor coordination, PSC and MVPA. The mediating effects of both overall and domain-specific PSC were tested on the relationship between motor coordination and MVPA. Motor coordination was found to have a significant indirect effect on MVPA through overall PSC. Exploratory analyses specifically showed a mediating effect of domain-specific PSC of activity on the relationships between motor coordination and MVPA during chores and leisure-time. Findings from the current study highlight the importance of PSC on the relationship between motor coordination and MVPA and showed that university students with poor motor coordination exhibit lower levels of PSC, specifically, the perception of activity. Future interventions targeting the enhancement of MVPA should focus on improvement in the self-perception of physical activity alongside motor skills training.

Methods and design for the ADAPT study: Application of integrateD Approaches to understanding Physical activity during the Transition to emerging adulthood.

BACKGROUND: The overarching objective of the study is to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the salient factors predicting changes in physical activity (PA) during adolescents' transition into emerging adulthood. Using the Multi-Process Action Control model as our guiding framework, we will examine how implicit and explicit psychological processes along with regulatory practices impact PA change during this major life transition. Additionally, we will use a real-time data capture method called Ecological Momentary Assessment to further investigate how environmental and contextual factors, and momentary psychosocial influences effect PA patterns across this dynamic life stage. METHODS: The ADAPT study is a 4-year project comprised of two interrelated studies. Study I is a large prospective cohort study that will invite all grade 11 students across one large school board (a total of seven secondary schools) to participate by completing an online questionnaire. Using a cluster randomization approach, a subset of students from each school will be invited to participate in Study II, whereby participants will wear an accelerometer and complete Ecological Momentary Assessments 5 times a day over a 7-day study period. For both studies, following baseline assessments, there will be three annual follow-up assessments approximately 12 months apart. DISCUSSION: The current study represents one of the largest longitudinal cohort studies examining PA and its determinants and associated consequences among adolescents transitioning out of high school into emerging adulthood. Findings from this study will provide a much more in-depth understanding of how and why changes in PA behaviour occur across this first major life transition.

Physical activity in young children at risk for developmental coordination disorder.

AIM: To examine cross-sectional differences in patterns of daily physical activity accumulation between preschool children at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) compared to typically developing children. METHOD: In total, 514 children (292 males, 222 females; 4-5y) were recruited as part of the Coordination and Activity Tracking in CHildren (CATCH) study. Motor competence was assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition; children scoring ≤5th centile comprised the probable DCD group (pDCD, n=87), between the 6th and 16th centile were considered to be at risk for DCD (rDCD, n=149), and >16th centile were considered typically developing (n=278). Seven-day physical activity was measured using hip-worn accelerometers. Average daily intensity of activity, frequency, and duration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) bouts, and triaxial activity counts per minute were determined. RESULTS: No differences in daily activity in any intensity or axis of movement were found among the three groups. However, young children with pDCD accumulated their MVPA in slightly shorter bouts compared to typically developing children. INTERPRETATION: Young children at risk for DCD are not yet in an activity deficit. This may be because of the low motor skill demands of play in this age group. Early motor interventions may be able to promote continued physical activity participation in children with DCD. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Preschool children at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are not less active than their peers. Overall intensity and frequency of daily activity bouts are similar among motor groups. Children with probable DCD accumulate their activity in shorter bouts.

ACTIVIDAD FÍSICA EN NIÑOS PEQUEÑOS CON RIESGO DE TRASTORNO DEL DESARROLLO DE LA COORDINACIÓN: OBJETIVO: Examinar por medio de un corte transversal las diferencias en los patrones de actividad física entre los niños en edad preescolar con riesgo de trastorno del desarrollo de la coordinación (TDC) en comparación con niños con un desarrollo típico MÉTODO: En total, se reclutaron 514 niños (292 varones, 222 mujeres; de 4 y 5 años) como parte del estudio Coordinación y Seguimiento de Actividad en niños (CATCH). Las capacidades motrices se evaluaron utilizando el test MABC 2 (Movement Assessment Battery for Children). Los niños con puntaje ≤5 percentilo formaron el grupo con TDC probable (pTDC, n = 87), entre percentilos 6 y 16 se consideraron en riesgo de TDC (rTDC, n = 149), y > percentilo 16 se consideraron con desarrollo típico (o normal, n = 278). La actividad física a lo largo de siete días se midió utilizando acelerómetros portados en la cadera. Se determinó la intensidad diaria promedio de la actividad, la frecuencia y la duración de los momentos de actividad física moderada a intensa (MVPA), y los recuentos de actividad triaxial por minuto. RESULTADOS: No se encontraron diferencias en la actividad diaria en ninguna intensidad o eje de movimiento entre los tres grupos. Sin embargo, los niños pequeños con pTDC desarrollaron su MVPA (actividad física moderada a intensa) en episodios ligeramente más cortos en comparación con los niños con un desarrollo típico. INTERPRETACIÓN: Los niños pequeños en riesgo de TDC aún no presentan un déficit de actividad. Esto puede ser debido a las bajas exigencias motrices del juego en este grupo etario. Las intervenciones motoras tempranas pueden promover la participación en actividades físicas de los niños con TDC.

ATIVIDADE FÍSICA EM CRIANÇAS PEQUENAS COM RISCO DE TRANSTORNO DO DESENVOLVIMENTO DA COORDENAÇÃO: OBJETIVO: Observar as diferenças transversais nos padrões de acumulação de atividade física diária entre crianças na idade pré-escolar com risco de transtorno do desenvolvimento da coordenação (TDC) e crianças de desenvolvimento típico. MÉTODOS: Um total de 512 crianças (292 meninos, 222 meninas; de idade entre 4 e 5 anos) foram recrutadas como parte do estudo Acompanhamento da Coordenação e de Atividades de Crianças (Coordination and Activity Tracking in CHildren - CATCH). As competências motoras foram avaliadas por meio da Bateria de Avaliação do Movimento para Crianças (Movement Assessment Battery for Children - MABC) segunda edição. Crianças com pontuação abaixo do quinto percentil compunham o provável grupo com TDC (pDDC, n=87), entre o percentil 6 e 16 foram consideradas com risco de DDC (rTDC, n=149), e aquelas com pontuação acima do percentil 16 foram consideradas de desenvolvimento típico (n=278). A atividade física ao longo de 7 dias foi mensurada utilizando-se acelerômetros posicionados no quadril. Foram avaliadas a média de intensidade da atividade diária, frequência e duração das atividades físicas moderadas a vigorosas e contagem das atividades triaxiais por minuto. RESULTADOS: Não foram encontradas diferenças entre os três grupos avaliados para intensidade ou eixo de movimento. Entretanto, crianças do grupo pTDC acumularam suas atividades físicas moderadas a vigorosas em blocos ligeiramente mais curtos do que crianças de desenvolvimento típico. INTERPRETAÇÃO: Crianças mais novas com risco de TDC ainda não apresentam déficits de atividade física. Isso pode ser devido às baixas demandas motoras de brincar nessa faixa etária. Intervenções motoras precoces podem ser capazes de promover participação em atividades físicas continuada em crianças com TDC.

Motor coordination problems and psychological distress in young adults: A test of the Environmental Stress Hypothesis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The Environmental Stress Hypothesis (ESH) has been used to examine how the relationship between poor motor coordination and psychological distress is affected by physical health and psychosocial factors. However, work applying the ESH is still limited, and no studies have used this framework with adults. The current investigation aims to examine the association between motor coordination and psychological distress among emerging adults, and examine potential mediators to this relationship based on the ESH. METHODS: 225 young adults aged 17-23 years completed a survey of motor coordination, physical activity, secondary stressors (i.e., general stress and global relationships), perceived social support, self-concept, and psychological distress. Structural equation modeling was conducted to examine mediating pathways and overall model fit. RESULTS: The final model of the ESH showed good model fit (x2 = 83.24, p < .01; RMSEA=0.056; NNFI = 0.927; CFI = 0.954; GFI = 0.947), and indicated that the relationship between poor motor coordination and psychological distress was mediated by secondary stressors, perceived social support, and self-concept. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the effect of poor motor coordination on psychological distress in young adults, and suggests that interventions should target psychosocial well-being, in addition to motor coordination, to prevent psychological distress.