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.

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.