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.

Making a Difference in PE Lessons: Using a Low Organized Games Approach to Teach Fundamental Motor Skills in China.

BACKGROUND: Fundamental motor skills (FMS) is the foundational movement for children's physical development. Physical Education (PE) lessons provide a unique opportunity for children to acquire these skills. The purposes of this study were to: 1) to describe the FMS performance of primary school children in China; and 2) to examine the effect of a PE-based intervention on children's FMS. METHODS: The 12-week PE-based intervention was conducted using a low organized games (LOG) approach. Children's FMS was measured by the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2). Participants were 560 children aged between 6-9 years old (grade one to three) from two primary schools in Chongqing, China. They were grouped into intervention group (with LOG program PE; n = 282) or control group (with regular PE; n = 278). RESULTS: The results revealed significant interaction effect between group and grade on the locomotor skill score changes (F(1, 554) = 22.31, p < 0.000), and object control score change (F(1,554) = 627.1, p < 0.000). There was no significant interaction effect between the intervention group and gender on locomotor skill (F(1,554) = 1.49, p = 0.223) and object control skill significant (F(1,554) = 743, p = 0.389). CONCLUSIONS: The present study supported the application of LOG approach in PE lesson as an effective intervention to enhance children's FMS in China.

Physical Activity and Mental Toughness as Antecedents of Academic Burnout among School Students: A Latent Profile Approach.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the current survey-based study was to identify patterns of academic burnout and their antecedents among secondary school students. METHODS: Secondary school students (n = 1209) completed a survey measuring academic burnout, physical activity, and mental toughness. RESULTS: Using latent profile analyses, three burnout profiles were identified: a "moderately engaged group" (n = 699; 57.8%), a "burnout group" (n = 389; 32.2%), and a "well-functioning group" (n = 121; 10.0%). Group comparisons revealed that the "well-functioning group" reported significantly higher levels of physical activity and mental toughness than the other two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that lack of physical activity and mental toughness are potential risk factors for academic burnout. These findings may inform the development of intervention programs for academic burnout.

Comparing brimonidine 0.2% to apraclonidine 1.0% in the prevention of intraocular pressure elevation and their pupillary effects following laser peripheral iridotomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of brimonidine 0.2% and apraclonidine 1% on intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil size in patients undergoing laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI). METHODS: Forty patients (40 eyes) with occludable angle or angle-closure glaucoma requiring LPI were recruited. Patients were randomized to receive either brimonidine 0.2% or apraclonidine 1% before and after LPI. The IOPs were measured at 1, 2 and 3 h after LPI, and pupil size was measured before and at 45 min after eyedrop instillation. Both parameters were analyzed using the t test. RESULTS: There were 20 patients in each group. The baseline IOP was 17.1 +/- 3.2 mmHg for the brimonidine group and 16.7 +/- 2.8 mmHg for the apraclonidine group (P = 0.67) (t test). The mean IOP 3 h after laser treatment was 18.2 +/- 7.8 mmHg for the brimonidine group and 15.7 +/- 5.6 mmHg for the apraclonidine group (P = 0.25) (t test). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the mean IOP changes at 1, 2, or 3 h after LPI. The mean change in pupil size after brimonidine was -0.33 +/- 0.37 mm and after apraclonidine was +0.90 +/- 0.87 mm. The difference was significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Brimonidine 0.2% was found to have an efficacy comparable to that of apraclonidine 1.0% in preventing post LPI IOP spikes. Apraclonidine 1.0% tends to have a pupil dilating effect while brimonidine 0.2% tends to constrict the pupil.

Sensory integration and response to balance perturbation in overweight physically active individuals.

The purpose of this study was to compare sensory integration and response to balance perturbation between physically active normal weight and overweight adults. Physically active young adults were grouped into normal weight (n = 45) or overweight (n = 17) according to the World Health Organization body mass index classification for Asian adults. Participants underwent two balance tests: sensory organization and motor control. Overweight participants presented marginally lower somatosensory score compared to normal weight participants. However, they scored significantly higher in response to balance perturbation. There was no difference in the onset of participants' active response to balance perturbation. Physical activity might have contributed to improved muscle strength and improved the ability of overweight individuals to maintain balance.