Sex differences in 3- to 5-year-old children's motor competence: A pooled cross-sectional analysis of 6241 children.

There is some, albeit inconsistent, evidence supporting sex differences in preschoolers' motor competence (MC), with these observations not uniform when analyzed by age, and cultural groups. Thus, this study examined sex differences across ages in 3- to 5-year-old children's MC. A cross-country pooled sample of 6241 children aged 3-5 years (49.6% girls) was assessed for MC using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2nd/3rd edition, and children were categorized into groups of age in months. Multiple linear regression models and predictive margins were calculated to explore how sex and age in months affect scores of MC (i.e., locomotor and ball skills), with adjustments for country and BMI. The Chow's Test was used to test for the presence of a structural break in the data. Significant differences in favor of girls were seen at 57-59 and 66-68 months of age for locomotor skills; boys performed better in ball skills in all age periods, except for 42-44 and 45-47 months of age. The higher marginal effects were observed for the period between 45-47 and 48-50 months for locomotor skills (F = 30.21; and F = 25.90 for girls and boys, respectively), and ball skills (F = 19.01; and F = 42.11 for girls and boys, respectively). A significantly positive break point was seen at 45-47 months, highlighting the age interval where children's MC drastically improved. The identification of this breakpoint provides an evidence-based metric for when we might expect MC to rapidly increase, and an indicator of early delay when change does not occur at that age.

Adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines in low-income Brazilian preschoolers and associations with demographic correlates.

BACKGROUND: The importance of movement behaviors for health is well known, although few studies have examined the adherence to movement guidelines in low-income preschoolers from a middle-income country, as Brazil. This study reports the proportion of preschoolers meeting the 24-hour movement guidelines and investigates its associations with demographic correlates in Brazilian low-income preschoolers. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy preschoolers (132 boys, means age = 3.97 ± 0.80) provided physical activity (PA) data (Actigraph wGT3X). Sleep duration, screen time, and social correlates were parent-reported. Preschoolers were classified as compliant/not compliant with the 24-hour movement guidelines. Relationships between compliance with movement behaviors guidelines and demographic correlates were calculated using a network analysis (Mplus 8.0; Rstudio). RESULTS: Preschoolers were active (273.52 ± 62.08 minutes/day of total PA), though moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time was below the guideline (58.68 ± 22.51 minutes/day); spent more than the recommended 60 minutes/day on screen time (169.91 ± 97.07 minutes/day); and slept less than 10 hours per night (9.44 ± 1.12 hours/day). Only 3% of the sample complied with the guidelines. PA showed the highest compliance (43%), compared to sleep duration (35%) and screen time (15%). Male sex was related to adherence to MVPA recommendations, while female sex, with adherence to total PA recommendations. Child's primary caregiver was the most important centrality indicator in the network. CONCLUSION: Only 3% of the assessed preschoolers are compliant with the 24-hour movement behaviors guidelines. Strategies to promote adherence to movement behaviors among low-income preschoolers should consider child's primary caregivers to support movement behaviors.

Effect of a pilot multi-component intervention on motor performance and metabolic risks in overweight/obese youth.

This study evaluated the effect of a multi-component intervention on motor performance (MP) and metabolic risk markers (MRM) in overweight/obese youth. A secondary aim was to examine whether changes in MP are associated to changes in MRM. A 3-month multi-component intervention was performed, consisting of physical exercise sessions (twice/week;1h), nutritional education sessions (once/month), and parental support (twice/week). The sample included 35 volunteers (7-13 y.o), allocated to intervention (INT, n = 17) and control (CONT, n = 18) group. Variables were measured pre (T0) and post intervention (T1). Fasting blood samples were analyzed for MRM. MP tests included the measurement of health related physical fitness components and motor coordination performance (KTK battery). To assess food intake, a 24-hour recall diary was used. GLM-ANCOVA was performed. Standardized scores were calculated for the outcome variables, and multilinear regressions were applied to analyze associations between the key variables. INT group showed improvements in MP, glycolytic and hepatic profiles. After adjustments for MVPA, SB, total intake and maturational stage, negative associations between %ΔMP and %Δglycolytic (ß = -.424; 95%CI:-0.343:-0.022), and %Δhepatic scores (ß = -.382 95%CI:-0.001:-0.009) were observed. The intervention produced a moderate-to-high effect on the MP and some MRM. Changes in MP were inversely associated with changes in glycolytic and hepatic markers.

Motor Competence and Body Mass Index in the Preschool Years: A Pooled Cross-Sectional Analysis of 5545 Children from Eight Countries.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: One in five preschool children are overweight/obese, and increased weight status over time increases the risks of poorer future health. Motor skill competence may be a protective factor, giving children the ability to participate in health-enhancing physical activity. Yet, we do not know when the relationship between motor competence and weight status first emerges or whether it is evident across the body mass index (BMI) spectrum. This study examined the association between motor skill competence and BMI in a multi-country sample of 5545 preschoolers (54.36 ± 9.15 months of age; 50.5% boys) from eight countries. METHODS: Quantile regression analyses were used to explore the associations between motor skill competence (assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second/Third Edition) and quantiles of BMI (15th; 50th; 85th; and 97th percentiles), adjusted for sex, age in months, and country. RESULTS: Negative associations of locomotor skills, ball skills, and overall motor skill competence with BMI percentiles (p < 0.005) were seen, which became stronger at the higher end of the BMI distribution (97th percentile). Regardless of sex, for each raw score point increase in locomotor skills, ball skills, and overall motor skill competence scores, BMI is reduced by 8.9%, 6.8%, and 5.1%, respectively, for those preschoolers at the 97th BMI percentile onwards. CONCLUSIONS: Public health policies should position motor skill competence as critical for children's obesity prevention from early childhood onwards. Robust longitudinal and experimental designs are encouraged to explore a possible causal pathway between motor skill competence and BMI from early childhood.

Fitness and Performance Testing of Male and Female Beach Soccer Players-A Preliminary Investigation.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare performance on sand and a firm surface and to describe the physical capacity of male and female beach soccer players. Methods: Sixty-six male and 29 female competitive beach soccer players voluntarily participated in this study. Firstly, within-subjects test scores were compared to scores on a firm surface (criterion validity; n = 15 men) and reconducted on a second occasion (reliability; n = 51 men). Secondly, the best score on sand was retained to compare test performance between ages (classified as below 20, 20-30, and above 30 years) and sexes. Performance assessments included sprint time over 5 and 15 m (once on a firm surface and twice on sand), standing long jump (SLJ, once on a firm surface and twice on sand) and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1, once on a firm surface and once on sand; only data for men were available). Results: Five-m sprint and Yo-Yo IR1 performance on sand were not correlated to performance on a firm surface (P > 0.05). Test-retest reliability was acceptable for the 15-m sprint and SLJ tests (ICC > 0.90; CV < 5%). Performance in 15-m sprint and maximal sprinting speed were moderately lower in male players aged above 30 years. compared to players aged below 30 years (d = 0.35-0.42; P < 0.05). Irrespective of the age group, weight-bearing power-based performance mass was moderately to very largely higher in male players than in female players (d = 0.42-0.88; P < 0.05). Conclusions: The lack of a consistent relationship between performance on sand and on a firm surface might indicate the need to develop specific test batteries for sand-based athletes. Age-related differences in physical performance were evident only in sprint capacity. Further studies are warranted to elucidate our preliminary findings and to develop the sand specific tests.

Physical activity, sedentary time and bone tissue: effects of an 8-months interdisciplinary program with overweight/obese children / Atividade física, tempo sedentário e tecido ósseo: efeitos de um programa interdisciplinar de oito meses com crianças com sobrepeso/obesidade

Moderate to vigorous physical activity plays a recognized osteogenic effect on bone. Moreover, sedentary time, and fat accumulation are unfavorable to bone health. Our study aimed (1) to examine changes in body composition, bone tissue, physical activity, and sedentary time; and (2) to explore whether changes in physical activity intensities and in sedentary time are associated with changes in bone outcomes after a school-based interdisciplinary intervention program. A total of 53 over-weight/obese students (10.6 ± 3.5 year-olds; 26 girls) participated in physical activity classes. Bone area, bone mass, and bone mineral density z-score, body composition (fat mass, fat lean mass), phys-ical activity, sedentary time and potential confounders (vitamin D and maturational status) were assessed at baseline, and 8 months later. General Linear Models were carried out and significance level was set at 5%. Changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity were positively correlated with changes in all bone mass indicators. We observed a significant overall effect of the intervention on bone mineral density z-score changes, however after adjustments for changes in sedentary time and moderate to vigorous physical activity, no effect was observed. Finally, variations in sedentary time and in moderate to vigorous physical activity play an important role in bone mass density in those participants of the interdisciplinary program

A atividade física moderada-vigorosa tem efeito osteogênico reconhecido no osso. Além disso, o tempo sedentário e o acúmulo de gordura são desfavoráveis à saúde óssea. Este estudo objetivou: (1) examinar mudanças na composição corporal, tecido ósseo, atividade física e tempo sedentário; e (2) explorar se as mudanças nas intensidades de atividade física e no tempo sedentário estão associadas a mudanças nos resultados ósseos após um programa de intervenção interdisciplinar de base escolar. 53 estudantes com sobrepeso/obesidade (10,6 ± 3,5 anos; 26 meninas) participaram de aulas com atividade física. Área óssea, massa óssea e escore z de densidade mineral óssea, composição corporal (massa gorda, massa magra de gordura), atividade física, tempo sedentário e potenciais confundidores (vitamina D e status maturacional) foram avaliados no início e após 8 meses. Modelos Lineares Generalizados foram realizados e o nível de significância foi estabelecido em 5%. Alterações na atividade física moderada-vigorosa foram positivamente correlacionadas com as mu-danças em todos os indicadores de massa óssea. Observou-se um efeito geral significativo da intervenção nas alterações do escore z de densidade mineral óssea, entretanto, após ajustes para mudanças no tempo sedentário e atividade física moderada-vigorosa, nenhum efeito foi observado. Por fim, variações no tempo sedentário e na atividade física moderada a vigorosa desempenham importante papel na densidade da massa óssea nos participantes do programa interdisciplinar