A holistic measurement model of movement competency in children.

Different countries have different methods for assessing movement competence in children; however, it is unclear whether the test batteries that are used measure the same aspects of movement competence. The aim of this paper was to (1) investigate whether the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2) and Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder (KTK) measure the same aspects of children's movement competence and (2) examine the factorial structure of the TGMD-2 and KTK in a sample of Australian children. A total of 158 children participated (M age = 9.5; SD = 2.2). First, confirmatory factor analysis examined the independent factorial structure of the KTK and TGMD-2. Second, it was investigated whether locomotor, object control and body coordination loaded on the latent variable Movement Competency. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated an adequate fit for both the KTK and TGMD-2. An adequate fit was also achieved for the final model. In this model, locomotor (r = .86), object control (r = .71) and body coordination (r = .52) loaded on movement competence. Findings support our hypothesis that the TGMD-2 and KTK measure discrete aspects of movement competence. Future researchers and practitioners should consider using a wider range of test batteries to assess movement competence.

Cardiorespiratory fitness and heart rate recovery in obese premenopausal women.

Post-exercise heart rate recovery (HRR) has been proposed as a measure of cardiac autonomic dysfunction in apparently healthy adults. We aimed to determine the effects of a lifestyle intervention on HRR among clinically obese premenopausal women. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effects of a 3-month non-dieting lifestyle intervention program on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and HRR among healthy clinically obese premenopausal women. Thirty-one were randomly assigned to 3-month intensive lifestyle intervention and 31 served as controls. Sixty-one participants performed a maximal treadmill walking test with metabolic gas exchange. Baseline anthropometric measures were closely related to HRR at 1 min, which may indicate reduced parasympathetic reactivation. Post-exercise HRR at 60 s (HRR60) increased from 21.3 ± 6.2 to 27.8 ± 10.2 bpm in the intervention group compared with a smaller reduction (26.8 ± 12.3 to 24.5 ± 9.9 bpm) in controls (test for interaction P = 0.0001). HRR120 showed a significant effect of time (P = 0.0002) with no significant interaction with lifestyle intervention. A significant increase in VO2 peak was evident in the lifestyle group (21.6 to 23.6 mL/kg/min) compared with a modest reduction in the controls (22.6 to 21.6 mL/kg/min; test for interaction, P = 0.001). Clinically obese healthy premenopausal women achieved significant improvements in HRR60 and VO peak following a 3-month intensive lifestyle intervention.

Acute sport-related stressors, coping, and emotion among professional rugby union players during training and matches.

The purpose of this study was to examine acute sport-related stressors, coping, and emotion among a sample of professional rugby union players during training and matches. Five professional rugby union players maintained diaries for 31 days. The diaries consisted of a stressor checklist and an open-ended stressor response section, an open-ended coping response section, a Likert-type evaluation of coping effectiveness, a best-of-fit emotional response section, and a Likert-type evaluation of emotional intensity. Six out of the 10 stressors reported had a higher mean frequency in training compared with matches. Blocking was the most frequently cited coping strategy on match days, whereas increased concentration was the most frequently cited coping strategy on training days. Coping effectiveness was significantly higher during training compared with matches. Additionally, higher levels of emotional intensity were significantly associated with lower levels of coping effectiveness. Significant individual differences were found for both coping effectiveness and emotional intensity.

Effect of a single bout of exercise on the mood of pregnant women.

AIM: Few studies have been conducted investigating the psychological benefits of exercise during pregnancy. Additionally, hormonal and cardiovascular responses to water-based and land-based exercise in pregnant women are different. Therefore, this study investigated the influence of a single bout of exercise on the mood of pregnant women participating in an aqua- or studio-based exercise class compared to a parentcraft and a control group. METHODS: The study consisted of 4 conditions: the 66 participants either took part in an aqua class, a gym studio class, a parentcraft class or acted as controls. Mood was assessed using the profile of mood states (POMS) just prior to the activity and shortly following the activity. RESULTS: No initial differences were observed between the four conditions before exercise or activity participation. However, participation in the aqua and studio conditions resulted in increased overall mood score and showed a significant increase on the vigor subscale. Also, a decrease in the depression sub-scale of the POMS was found in the aqua condition. The parentcraft classes did not alter the women's mood state. CONCLUSIONS: Although the physiological and hormonal reactions are different for aqua- and land-based exercise both modes of exercise appear to be equally beneficial for pregnant women to engage in to improve mood. Additionally, exercise, but not parentcraft classes, resulted in enhanced mood in women in their 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy. Although exercise has mood benefits that are comparable to other mood management techniques, it also has additional physiological and physical benefits to both the mother and the fetus.