RESUMEN
High competence in fundamental motor skills (FMS) and adequate physical fitness (PF) levels are a solid foundation for acquiring an active and healthy lifestyle during childhood and adolescence. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to compare gender and age groups and identify correlations between FMS and PF in young elementary school students. We used a structured questionnaire to gather sociodemographic information from parents, and we characterized the children's economic profile with the Brazil Social Economic Status Criterion. We collected FMS data using the Furtado-Gallagher Children Observational Movement Pattern Assessment System (FG-COMPASS), and we used the Brazil Sports Project Battery Test to measure PF levels. Statistical analyses involved descriptive data and inferential tests to determine group differences in FMS and PF levels. Hierarchical regression helped identify the associations between FMS and PF, as controlled by sociodemographic factors. Participants were 720 students (and parents) of both genders (383 girls, 337 boys; M age = 8.8, SD = 1.52 years) from grades 1 to 5 in an elementary school in a municipality in the western region of the Paraná state in Brazil. The results showed significant differences in children's motor skills and PF based on gender and age. The hierarchical regression model showed different combinations of flexibility, abdominal resistance, upper limb strength, agility, speed, and lower limb strength, which explained 33.7% of the variability in the global FMS index, 41% of the variability in manipulative skills, and 12.7% of the variability in locomotor skills. In addition, there was a positive association between FMS and PF related to neuromuscular development for both sexes, regardless of age.
RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To verify the association of motor skills with habitual and organized PA partici-pation, and sedentary behavior for males and females. METHODS: The study employed a cross-sectional design in a sample of seventy-six second graders from a public elementary school in a Midwestern State. RESULTS: Mann Whitney and t-tests indicated gender differ-ences in FMS and PA variables. Spearman correlation analyses demonstrated that habitual PA was correlated to total FMS, and manipulative skills for boys. For girls, a significant associa-tion was present in organized PA and locomotor skills. CONCLUSION: Choice of organized physical activity seems to influence the development of FMS and affect habitual PA behavior differently in boys and girls.
OBJETIVO: Verificar as associações de Habilidades Motoras Fundamentais (HMF) com a participação em Atividade Física (AF) e comportamento sedentário em meninos e meninas. MÉTODO: O estudo utilizou um delineamento transversal em uma amostra de alunos de es-cola pública. RESULTADOS: Mann Whitney e testes-t indicaram diferenças de gênero na HMF e variáveis de AF e comportamento sedentário. As análises de correlação demonstraram que AF habitual esteve significativamente associada com HMF total e manipulação de objetos nos meninos. Para as meninas, associações significativas foram observadas entre AF organi-zada e habilidades locomotoras. CONCLUSÃO: A participação em AF organizada parece influenciar o desenvolvimento de habilidades motoras e o comportamento de AF habitual.
OBJETIVO: Verificar asociaciones entre las HABILIDADES MOTORAS FUNDAMEN-TALES (HMF) con la participación en Actividad Física (AF) y el comportamiento sedentario. MÉTODO: El estudio utilizó un diseño transversal en una muestra de estudiantes de escuela pública. RESULTADOS: Mann-Whitney y testes-t indicaron diferencias de género en varia-bles de HMF, AF y el comportamiento sedentario. Los análisis de correlación demostraron que la AF habitual estuvo significativamente asociada con HMF total y manipulación de obje-tos en los niños. Para las niñas, asociaciones significativas fueron observadas entre AF orga-nizada y habilidades locomotoras. CONCLUSIÓN: La participación en AF organizada parece influir en el desarrollo de las habilidades motoras y el comportamiento de la AF habitual.