Effects of a recreational physical activity summer camp on body composition, metabolic syndrome and physical fitness in obese children.

This study sought to examine the effects of a recreational physical activity summer camp on body composition, metabolic syndrome, and physical fitness in obese children. Forty-eight children (8-10 years; Body Mass Index ≥85th percentile) completed 4-weeks of a structured recreational physical activity program summer camp (5 hours/day, 5 days/week). Over the 4-weeks, significant reductions (P<0.05) in weight, waist circumference, Body Mass Index, percentage of body fat, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed. Additionally, a significant increase was observed in HDL-cholesterol, handgrip, trunk lift, and shuttle run (P<0.05). These findings suggest that a 4-week recreational physical activity summer camp yields several body-composition, metabolic-syndrome, and physical fitness benefits in obese children and should represent an effective support for their health development.

Analysis of fatigue development during elite male handball matches.

This study aimed at describing the physiological demands and fatigue development during elite male handball matches. Our hypothesis was that players perform multiple high-intensity activities during periods of the game and develop temporary and end-match neuromuscular fatigue. Time-motion analyses and heart rate (HR) recordings were performed in 40 players during 12 competitive matches. Blood samples were collected, and sprint, jump, and intermittent exercise performance (Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance level 2 test [YYIE2]) was assessed for 18 players at baseline conditions and after 2 competitive matches, and additional blood sampling and testing were performed for 12 of these players during a friendly match. The time spent with high-intensity running (4.4 ± 2.0 to 3.1 ± 1.7%), the frequency of demanding actions (61 ± 5 to 54 ± 6), and the time with HR above 80% HRmax (62 ± 21 to 41 ± 17%) were lowered from the first to the second half. Average blood lactate during the match was 3.6 ± 2.1 (1.3-8.6) mM. Plasma free fatty acids (FFA), glycerol, glucose, and uric acid increased (p ≤ 0.05) during the first half and plasma FFA and glycerol increased further (p ≤ 0.05) during the second half. After an intense period in the second half, sprint performance was decreased by 3.9 ± 4.9%. After the match, YYIE2 (33.4 ± 8.7%), vertical jump (7.4 ± 6.5%), and 20-m sprint performance (1.6 ± 2.6%) was lower (p ≤ 0.05) than at baseline. This study showed that the intensity is high in certain periods during elite male handball games and that physical performance is impaired both temporarily during and toward the end of games confirming our hypothesis. These findings enables physical trainers and coaches to plan and design proper game-specific training exercises aiming at delaying both temporary and end-game fatigue and strengthen the physiological rationale for the need for substitutions in various stages of match-play.

Physiological demands of elite team handball with special reference to playing position.

This study aimed to analyze the physiological demands of match play for different playing positions in elite male team handball. Time motion (N = 30) and heart rate (HR; N = 70) data were recorded throughout 10 official matches. The mean distance covered by backcourt players (4.96 ± 0.64 km) was greater (p ≤ 0.02) than for wings and pivots (4.23 ± 0.52 and 3.91 ± 0.51 km, respectively). Backcourt players spent less time standing still and walking (∼76%) than wings and pivots (∼80%) (p ≤ 0.03), and wings spent more time sprinting than the other playing positions. Backcourt players (122.9 ± 17.0) and pivots (126.8 ± 33.0) performed more high-demanding actions per game than wings (54.6 ± 15.6) (p = 0.01). The time spent by pivots in high-intensity activities decreased from the first to the second half (4.1 ± 2.4 to 2.7 ± 0.9%; p ≤ 0.01), while backcourt players showed a decrease in high-demanding playing actions (p ≤ 0.05). Backcourt players and pivots had higher mean (84 ± 9 and 83 ± 9% vs. 79 ± 10%; p ≤ 0.03) and peak effective HR, and percentage of total time at intensities >80% maximal HR (HRmax) than wings. The fraction of total time spent at intensities >80% HRmax decreased for all outfield playing positions in the second half (from 39-76 to 30-46%). Competitive team handball involves position-specific differences in the physiological demands. Furthermore, exercise intensity decreases from the first to the second half for all outfield playing positions suggesting that these players experience neuromuscular fatigue. Training of elite handball players should comprise high-intensity position-specific exercises aiming at improving the ability to maintain a high exercise intensity throughout the game.

Genetic influences of sports participation in Portuguese families.

To estimate familial aggregation and quantify the genetic and environmental contribution to the phenotypic variation on sports participation (SP) among Portuguese families. The sample consisted of 2375 nuclear families (parents and two offspring each) from different regions of Portugal with a total of 9500 subjects. SP assessment was based on a psychometrically established questionnaire. Phenotypes used were based on the participation in sports (yes/no), intensity of sport, weekly amount of time in SP and the proportion of the year in which a sport was regularly played. Familial correlations were calculated using family correlations (FCOR) in the SAGE software. Heritability was estimated using variance-components methods implemented in Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routines (SOLAR) software. Subjects of the same generation tend to be more similar in their SP habits than the subjects of different generations. In all SP phenotypes studied, adjusted for the effects of multiple covariates, the proportion of phenotypic variance due to additive genetic factors ranged between 40% and 50%. The proportion of variance attributable to environmental factors ranged from 50% for the participation in sports to 60% for intensity of sport. In this large population-based family study, there was significant familial aggregation on SP. These results highlight that the variation on SP phenotypes have a significant genetic contribution although environmental factors are also important in the familial resemblance of SP.

Psychosocial correlates of physical activity in school children aged 8-10 years.

BACKGROUND: Understanding correlates of physical activity (PA) among children in different populations may contribute to fostering active lifestyles. This study considered gender differences in relationships between biologic (body mass index, BMI), demographic (socioeconomic sport status, SES) and psychosocial correlates of PA and level of PA in Portuguese primary school children. METHODS: 683 children, aged 8-10 years, from 20 different elementary schools in northern Portugal were surveyed. Weight status was classified using International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria for the BMI. Family SES was estimated from school records. PA level and psychosocial correlates (attraction to PA, perceived physical competence and parental socialization) were obtained with interview and standardized questionnaires, respectively. Sex-specific hierarchical multiple regression analyses (SPSS 18.0) were conducted and included two blocks of predictor variables (biologic and demographic, and psychosocial). RESULTS: Level of PA was significantly higher in boys than girls. Enjoyment of participation in vigorous PA was positively associated with level of PA. Perceived acceptance by peers in games and sports and parental encouragement were positively and significantly related to PA in girls. Perceived physical competence was positively and significantly related to PA in boys. Weight status and SES were not associated with PA. CONCLUSIONS: Boys and girls differed in perceived attractiveness of PA and perceived physical competence, both of which influenced level of PA. Differences in perceptions may be important aspects of motivation for PA in school children.

Gender, weight status and socioeconomic differences in psychosocial correlates of physical activity in schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess differences in attraction to physical activity, perceived physical competence and parental socialization influences across gender, body mass index and socioeconomic status in Portuguese children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: 683 children, aged 8-10 years, from elementary schools were participants. Attraction to physical activity, perceived physical competence, parental socialization influences and socioeconomic status were assessed via standardized questionnaires. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was calculated using body mass index, based on the international cut-off points. MANOVA and ANOVA models were conducted. RESULTS: Boys reported greater enjoyment of games and sports participation than did girls. Boys and normal-weight children perceived themselves as being more successful and physically competent than did girls and obese children. Normal-weight girls enjoyed participation in vigorous physical activity more than did overweight and obese girls. Obese children felt less accepted by their peers in games and sports than did normal-weight and overweight children. High and medium socioeconomic status children perceived physical activity participation as of greater importance than did low-socioeconomic status children. High-socioeconomic status girls reported greater liking of the exertional aspects of physical activity compared to low socioeconomic status girls. High socioeconomic status children were more likely to perceive their parents as positive role models and perceived that they had greater enjoyment of physical activity than did lower socioeconomic status children. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that physical activity promotion interventions should focus on girls, obese children and lower socioeconomic status children as these individuals tend to have lower levels of attraction to physical activity, lower perceived physical competence and less parent physical activity support, which puts them at greater risk of being physically inactive.

Evaluating the youth physical activity promotion model among Portuguese elementary schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: The Youth Physical Activity Promotion (YPAP) model provides an integrated approach to understanding the predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors influencing physical activity (PA) behavior. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an adapted version of the YPAP model for explaining PA among Portuguese schoolchildren. METHODS: A random cross-sectional sample of 683 children (8-10 years of age) attending elementary public schools in the north of Portugal completed a detailed survey assessing attraction to PA, perceived physical competence, parental influences and leisure time PA. Structural equation modeling techniques were conducted (EQS6.1). RESULTS: Attraction to PA was directly associated with children's PA participation (ß = 0.271, P < .05). Perceived physical competence imposed an indirect effect on children's PA through children's attraction to PA (ß = 0.253, P < .05). Parental influence had an indirect effect on children's PA through perceived physical competence and attraction to PA (ß = 0.318 and 0.662, respectively, P < .05). Perceived physical competence and parental influence were not directly associated with children's PA (ß = 0.069 and 0.180, respectively, P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The adapted version of YPAP model was useful in explaining PA participation in elementary Portuguese schoolchildren. Intervention programs intended to enhance attraction to PA, perceived physical competence and favorable parental influence should be developed to promote children's PA participation.

Training status and match activity of professional soccer players throughout a season.

The purpose of this study was to examine match activity (MA) and fatigue development (FD) during official soccer games in different moments of a season and the influence of training status (TS) on MA and FD. Match activity of 13 professional players was examined by time-motion analysis at 4 time points of a competitive season. In addition, per time point within the 2-week period between the 2 games video-filmed, players performed the following physical tests: countermovement jump, 5- and 30-m sprints, change of direction, knee extensor and flexor isokinetic strength, and Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test-level 2. The players covered a greater high-intensity distance running (HI; p < 0.05) in the last quarter of the season (E4) than in the second (E2) and the third (E3) quarters. Within each assessment period, a greater distance was covered in HI during the peak 5-minute period of the match (P5-min) than in the 5-minute period after P5-min (Next5-min) and the remaining 5-minute periods (Av5-min; p < 0.05) of the match. Also, P5-min was higher in E4 than in the beginning of the season (E1, E2, and E3; p < 0.05). The physical fitness variables, composites scores of power-related and isokinetic strength tests were correlated (r ranging between 0.59 and 0.73, p < 0.05) with game physical parameters (GPPs) analyzed by time motion. Soccer players were found to cover more HI during the game and in the P5-min toward end of season. The players with greater muscle strength and power expressed lower performance decrements in the GPPs. In conclusion, the results highlight the relevance of players' neuromuscular function on game physical performance.

Physical and physiological demands of elite team handball.

This study aimed to analyze elite team handball physical and physiological demands during match play. Time-motion (N = 30) and heart rate (HR; N = 60) analyses were performed throughout 10 official matches. The defined locomotor categories were standing still, walking, jogging, fast running, sprinting, backwards movement, sideways medium-intensity movement, and sideways high-intensity movement, and playing actions studied were jumps, shots, stops when preceded by high-intensity activities, changes of direction and one-on-one situations. During matches, the mean distances covered were 4,370 ± 702.0 m. Around 80% of the total time was spent standing still (43.0 ± 9.27%) and walking (35.0 ± 6.94%) and only 0.4 ± 0.31% with sprinting. The most frequent high-intensity actions were stops, changes of direction, and one-on-one situations. Effective mean HR was 157 ± 18.0 b·min(-1) (82 ± 9.3% of HRmax), and total HR was 139 ± 31.9 b·min(-1) (72 ± 16.7% of HRmax). The HR, time spent in high-intensity activities, frequency of stops, changes of direction, one-on-one situations, and most intense periods of the game were higher during the first half than during the second half (p ≤ 0.05). The opposite was observed for the number of time outs and the time between each change of activity (p = 0.00). Handball is an intermittent exercise that primarily uses aerobic metabolism, interspersed by high-intensity actions that greatly tax anaerobic metabolism. Additionally, exercise intensity decreases from the first to the second half of the match, suggesting that neuromuscular fatigue may occur during the game. The training of elite handball players should comprise exercises targeting the ability to perform specific high-intensity actions throughout the game and to rapidly recover during the less intense periods.

Individual match playing time during the season affects fitness-related parameters of male professional soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of an entire season on physical fitness parameters (PFPs) in male professional soccer players (N = 18). Performance in 5- and 30-m sprint (T5 and T30), countermovement jump (CMJ), agility (T-test), knee extensor (KE) and knee flexor (KF) isokinetic strength, hamstrings/quadriceps strength ratio (H/Q) and bilateral differences (BDs), and Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test 2 (YYIE2) was evaluated in 4 moments (E1-E4) throughout the season. Individual match playing time was quantified. Significant improvements in CMJ and YYIE2 from E1 to E2 were observed (p < 0.05-0.01). The T30 improved from E2 to E3 (p < 0.01). The CMJ decreased from E2 to E3 and E4, and YYIE2 from E2 to E4 (p < 0.05). There were increments in the H/Q ratio and Agility from E1 and E2 to E3 and E4 (p < 0.05-0.01). Significant correlations were found in all evaluation points between different PFPs and between changes in strength parameters and agility, T5 and T30, CMJ, and YYIE2 (p < 0.05-0.001). Influence of individual match playing time was correlated to changes in T5 (E1 to E3; r = -0.705), KE nondominant leg (KEND; E2 to E3; r = 0.786), and KF (E3 to E4; r = 0.575-0.590). The interrelationship between muscle strength (e.g., KE), sprint (e.g., T5), and jump abilities (CMJ) suggests the importance of muscle strength and power training for soccer. This study suggests that the systematic participation of the players in soccer matches favors the increase and maintenance of soccer players KE and KF muscle strength and sprint ability (T5). Thus, given the unique demands of actual match play, coaches should try to incorporate a competitive friendly match in the weekly training cycle of nonstarter players.

[Biological and socio-cultural determinants of physical activity in adolescents]. / Determinantes biológicos e sócio-culturais associados à prática de atividade física de adolescentes.

Physical activity is important for health promotion and disease prevention. Effective physical activity programs for adolescents require a proper understanding of the determinants of activity levels. The main purpose of this paper was to review the scientific literature on determinants of physical activity among adolescents: demographic, biological (age, gender, socioeconomic status), and socio-cultural (family, peers, and physical education teachers). The review included only studies with large samples (>100 subjects) and a cross-sectional design, and that used questionnaires to measure physical activity in adolescents (10-18 years). The main results and conclusions were: age is negatively associated with physical activity; boys tend to be more active than girls; higher socioeconomic status is positively associated with more physical activity; adolescents are more involved in physical activity when parents and peers also participate; physical education teachers do not influence the adolescents' level of physical activity.

Determinantes biológicos e sócio-culturais associados à prática de atividade física de adolescentes: [revisão] / Biological and socio-cultural determinants of physical activity in adolescents: [review]

A atividade física é um comportamento importante na promoção de saúde e na prevenção de doenças. Para que se desenvolvam programas eficazes no incentivo à prática de atividade física em adolescentes, torna-se necessário que se identifiquem os fatores que a determinam. Este estudo pretende rever alguns dos aspectos do estado atual do conhecimento acerca da influência de determinantes demográfico-biológicos (idade, sexo, estatuto sócio-econômico) e sócio-culturais (família, pares e professor de educação física) na atividade física de adolescentes. Nesta revisão apenas foram incluídos estudos efetuados com amostras superiores a 100 adolescentes com idades entre os 10 e os 18 anos, que tenham adotado delineamentos de pesquisa transversal e que tenham utilizado questionários. Os principais resultados e conclusões foram que: a idade parece estar negativamente associada à atividade física; o sexo masculino tende a estar mais envolvido nessas atividades; o estatuto sócio-econômico elevado parece ser um fator protetor do risco de inatividade física; a participação da família e dos pares em atividades físicas parece estar positivamente associada às atividades por parte dos adolescentes; o professor de educação física parece não representar um fator propiciador da atividade física.

Physical activity is important for health promotion and disease prevention. Effective physical activity programs for adolescents require a proper understanding of the determinants of activity levels. The main purpose of this paper was to review the scientific literature on determinants of physical activity among adolescents: demographic, biological (age, gender, socioeconomic status), and socio-cultural (family, peers, and physical education teachers). The review included only studies with large samples (> 100 subjects) and a cross-sectional design, and that used questionnaires to measure physical activity in adolescents (10-18 years). The main results and conclusions were: age is negatively associated with physical activity; boys tend to be more active than girls; higher socioeconomic status is positively associated with more physical activity; adolescents are more involved in physical activity when parents and peers also participate; physical education teachers do not influence the adolescents' level of physical activity.

Coordinación motora: influencia de la edad, sexo, estatus socio-económico y niveles de adiposidad en niños peruanos / Motor coordination: influence of age, sex, socio-economic status and levels of adiposity, in peruvian children

Caracterizar el nivel de la coordinación motora (CoM) y determinar la infl uencia de la edad, sexo, estatus socioeconómico y de la adiposidad subcutánea en la CoM de escolares peruanos de seis a los once años de edad. El tamaño de la muestra comprendió a 4,007 niños (mujeres= 1889; varones= 2118) de escuelas del área metropolitana de Lima, Perú. La CoM fue determinado a través de la batería de pruebas KTK (Kiphard y Schilling, 1974) que comprende cuatropruebas: equilibrio a la retaguardia (ER), saltos laterales (SL), saltos monopedales (SM) y transposición lateral (TL). La adiposidad subcutánea fue establecida a partir de la suma de los pliegues cutáneos del tríceps, subescapular y pantorrilla. El estatuto socioeconómico (ESE) fue evaluado según la localización física de cada escuela (tipo de vecindad). Los análisisestadísticos exploratorios, descriptivos e inferenciales (ANOVA II así como modelos lineales de regresión) fueron realizados en SPSS 15. Existen incrementos significativos de valores medios de las pruebas de KTK en ambos sexos y a lo largo de la edad. Los niños con adiposidad elevada presentan rendimientos inferiores en todas las pruebas. Los niños superan a las niñas. El ESE alto presenta una influencia mayor sólo en la prueba de SM, y el ESE bajo ha demostrado ser relevanteen la ejecución de ER. Conclusiones - La CoM es altamente específica a cada género. El nivel de adiposidad presenta una influencia negativa en cada prueba de coordinación, también en la coordinación total. El ESE no parece ser un predictor concluyente de la coordinación motora en niños.

The objective of this study was to describe motor coordination (CoM) levels, in addition to the infl uence of age, socioeconomic status (SES), sex and subcutaneous adiposity on the CoM of Peruvian children aged six to eleven years. The sample size was 4007 children (n=1889 females; n=2118 males) from several schools in the metropolitan area of Lima, Peru. CoM was assessed with the KTK (Kiphard and Schilling, 1974) test battery that includes 4 tests: balancing backward (BB), hopping on one leg (HO), jumping sideways (JS) and shifting platforms (SP). Subcutaneous adiposity included the sum of several skinfolds: triceps, subscapular and calf. Socioeconomic status (SES) was evaluated according to the physical location of each school (type of neighborhood). Exploratory, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses (ANOVA II as well as regression linear models) were performed using SPSS 15. Signifi cant increases in mean values of CoM were observed in both sexes and across age. Children with high adiposity exhibited lower performance in all tests. Boys outperformed girls. High SES has a greater infl uence only on HO, and a low SES proved relevant to BB performance. It can be concluded that CoM is highly specifi c to each gender. Body fat levels have a negative infl uence on each coordination test, as well as on overall coordination. SES does not seem to be a conclusive predictor of motor coordination in children.

Genetic and environmental factors in familial clustering in physical activity.

The goal of this study was to estimate the familial aggregation and quantify the contribution of genetic and environmental factors on physical activity (PA) habits of Portuguese families. The sample consisted of 2,375 nuclear families (parents and two offspring each) from different regions of Portugal with a total of 9,500 subjects. The assessment of PA was based on a psychometrically established questionnaire. This is a reliable and valid instrument to measure different PA indices (school/work, sport and leisure time). Familial aggregation was computed by factorial ANOVA. Familial correlations were calculated using FCOR in the SAGE software package. Heritability was estimated using variance-components methods implemented in the SOLAR software package. The main results are: (1) In all PA phenotypes, there was 1.34 to 1.99 times more variation in PA between families than within families, suggesting that PA aggregates in families (except work/school); (2) Subjects of the same generation tend to be more similar in their PA habits than subjects of different generations. (3) In all PA phenotypes studied, adjusted for the effects of multiple covariates, the proportion of phenotypic variance due to additive genetic factors ranged between 6% and 25%. In summary, there is substantial familial aggregation in PA, to which shared environmental factors appear to contribute somewhat more than shared genetic factors.

Associations between sport participation, demographic and socio-cultural factors in Portuguese children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The number of studies that focus on factors influencing the sport participation (SP) of children and adolescents is limited. The present study examines the associations between demographic [age, gender and socio-economic status (SES)] and socio-cultural factors (SP of family, and peers and physical educator influences) and the SP of children and adolescents. METHODS: A random sample of 3352 Portuguese children/adolescents, 10-18 years, their parents and siblings was surveyed. The assessment of SP was based on a psychometrically established questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used in data analysis. RESULTS: (i) age was not related to children/adolescent's SP; (ii) children/adolescents with high SES (OR:1.7, 95%CI:1.4-2.2) and medium SES (OR:1.4, 95%CI:1.1-1.7) were more involved in sports; (iii) children/adolescents were more likely to participate in sports when their family also participate; (iv) boys were more likely to participate in sports than girls (adjusted OR:3.3, 95%CI:2.8-3.9 from a main effects model), but mother's SP influenced their daughters and sons differently. Daughters showed a greater propensity for practising sports when their mothers did (OR:2.5; 95%CI:1.7-3.6). For sons, sports involvement was similar whether or not their mothers participated (OR:1.1; 95%CI:0.7-1.7); (v) peers had a positive influence on the participants' SP (OR:2.2, 95%CI:1.9-2.7); (vi) after adjusting for other factors, the influence of a physical education teacher was not found to affect the SP of the children/adolescents. CONCLUSION: There are important demographic and socio-cultural influences on the SP of children/adolescents-in particular, gender, SES, family members' SP and peer influence.

Coordenação motora: estudo de tracking em crianças dos 6 aos 10 anos da Região Autônoma dos Açores, Portugal / Motor coordination: studying tracking in 6 to 10-year-old children in the Azores Autonomous Region, Portugal

O objetivo do estudo foi caracterizar o desenvolvimento coordenativo em crianças açorianas dos 6 aos 10 anos em função do sexo e estimar a estabilidade da mudança intra-individual nas diferenças inter-individuais ao longo dos quatro anos. A amostra de 285 crianças (143 meninos e 142 meninas) é proveniente do estudo longitudinal-misto da Região Autônoma dos Açores. A coordenação motora foi determinada com a bateria de testes KTK que compreende 4 provas: Equilíbrio à retaguarda, Saltos laterais, Saltos monopedais e Transposição lateral. As estatísticas descritivas básicas, a ANOVA II, assim como as auto-correlações foram calculados no SPSS 15. Recorremos ao gama de Foulkes e Davies para verificar a quantidade de crianças que mantêm a mesma posição relativa. Este cálculo foi realizado no software LDA. As medidas descritivas básicas revelaram um incremento das médias, em ambos os sexos, ao longo da idade. A ANOVA II mostrou diferenças significativas em todos os testes ao longo dos quatro anos e, somente no teste Equilíbrio à Retaguarda foi encontrada uma interação significativa entre tempo e sexo. A correlação de Pearson apresentou uma estabilidade moderada. No teste Equilíbrio à Retaguarda, em ambos os sexos, e Saltos Monopedais nos meninos não se verificou nenhum tracking no desempenho o que revela uma forte heterogeneidade no desenvolvimento da Coordenação Motora ao longo dos quatro anos. Tais resultados reafirmam o direito à diferença nos níveis de coordenação e apelam para o entendimento do seu significado em termos pedagógicos.

The aims of the present study were to describe the development of motor coordination of children from the Azores aged 6 to 10 years of age of both genders; and to estimate the stability of intra-individual changes in inter-individual differences over 4 years. The sample comprised 285 children (143 boys and 142 girls) from the mixed-longitudinal study of the Azores Autonomous Region. Motor coordination was assessed with the KTK test battery which comprises 4 tests: Backward balance, Jumping sideways, Hopping on one leg and Shifting platforms. Basic descriptive statistics, ANOVA II, and auto-correlations were calculated in SPSS 15. We used the gamma of Foulkes and Davies to verify the proportion of children who maintained the same relative position. This calculation was performed using the software LDA. We found increases in mean values, in both genders, across the ages. ANOVA II showed significant differences in all tests over the 4 years, and a significant interaction between time and sex was only observed for the Backward balance. Auto-correlations presented moderate stability. Neither gender exhibited tracking in their performance in the Backward balance and the boys failed to do so in Hopping either, which demonstrates a strong heterogeneity in Motor Coordination development over the 4 years. These results show that children differ substantially along their motor development and calls for a clear understanding of its meaning in educational and didactic terms.

Efectos de la actividad física y del nivel socioecómico en el sobrepeso y obesidad de escolares, Lima Este 2005 / Effects of the physical activity and socioeconomic status in overweight and obesity in scholl students, east Lima 2005

Objetivos: Documentar la prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en escolares de 6 a 11 años de edad, y determinarla influencia del nivel socioeconómico y de la actividad física sobre ellos. Materiales y métodos: Se evaluaron 4191 niños de siete instituciones educativas de Lima Este. El sobrepeso y la obesidad fueron determinados a través del índice de masa corporal, los niveles de actividad física fueron evaluados a partir del cuestionario de Godin y Shephard y la caracterización del nivel socioeconómico (NSE) fue según la escuela donde cursaban estudios. Resultados: La prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad fue de 22 y 7 por ciento respectivamente, 32,9 por ciento de los escolares fueron consideradoscomo poco activos. Los escolares de NSE alto tienen mayor riesgo de presentar sobrepeso (OR: 3,9; IC95 por ciento: 3,1- 4,9) o ser obesos (OR: 11,5; IC95 por ciento: 7,3-18,2)independientemente de la edad, sexo y nivel de actividad física. No se encontróasociación entre los niveles de actividad física y el sobrepeso u obesidad. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad que se encontró refuerza la preocupación mundial con la obesidad infantil y sus consecuencias en el futuro. Los factores más influyentes para el sobrepeso y la obesidad fueron el NSE, edad y sexo. La actividad física no presenta ninguna asociación significativa.

Objectives: To document the prevalence of overweight and obesity, as well as to determine the influence of socioeconomicstatus and physical activity levels in body mass index (BMI) of school students aged 6 to 11 years. Material and methods: Be evaluated 4191 children of seven educational institutions of East Lima. Overweight and obesity were assessed by BMI, physical activity levels were evaluated from a questionnaire developed by Godin and Shephard, and for the characterization of socioeconomic status (SES) we used as criteria the school where subjects study. Results: Theprevalence of overweight and obesity was 22 percentage and 7 percentage, respectively, 32,9 percentage of children were considered as little active.The students of higher SES have a great risk of developing overweight (OR: 3,9; 95CI: 3,1- 4,9) or obesity (OR: 11,5;CI95: 7,3-18,2) adjusted to age, sex and physical activity level. No significant association was found between physicalactivity levels and overweight or obesity. Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was found reinforce the world concern with infantile obesity and its consequences in the future. The most influential factors of overweight and obesity were SES, age and sex. Physical activity doesnÆt present any significant association.

Sports participation among Portuguese youth 10 to 18 years.

BACKGROUND: The present study considered age- and sex-associated variation in sports participation (SP) in Portuguese youth. METHOD: A national 12,568 students, 10-18 years, was surveyed. Two items of the Baecke et al. (1982) questionnaire that deal with SP were considered. Logistic regression and factorial ANOVA were used. RESULTS: The prevalence of SP is greater in males than females. Mean sport scores increased in both sexes from 10-18 years. Soccer was the most practiced sport among males, while swimming and soccer were the most practiced sports among females. Males participated in SP > 4 hours per week compared to 1-2 hours per week in females. High intensity sports were more prevalent among males, while sports of mid-level intensity were more prevalent among females. The majority of youth participate in sport more than 9 months of the year. CONCLUSION: SP is an important component of physical activity among Portuguese youth and has a relatively stable prevalence between 10-18 years.

Padrão de actividade física escolares / Pattern of Physical activity of scholarly

O presente estudo teve como principal objectivo inventariar o padrão da actividade física habitual de criança sem contexto escolar. O estudo foi realizado com crianças do 4° ano do ensino básico em duas escolas do Município de Vila Nova de Gaia/Portugal, com uma amostra constituída por 49 crianças de ambos os sexos, comidade média de 10 anos. O instrumento utilizado foi o acelerómetro portátil (Tritrac-R3D), colocado na cintura das crianças durante cinco dias. Os procedimentos estatísticos utilizados foram as medidas descritivas habituais (média, desvio padrão, frequências absolutas e relativas) e o t-teste de medidas independentes. Os principais resultados foram os seguintes: (1) as crianças evidenciaram durante o período escolar um predomínio de actividade física de intensidade baixa, não realizando, no mínimo, 30 minutos de actividade física moderada a vigorosa diária; (2) os meninos apresentaram valores significativamente (p>0.05) mais elevados do que as meninas de actividade física moderada a vigorosa no recreio; (3) as crianças, mesmo em sessões organizadas de Educação Física, apresentaram um padrão de actividade física caracterizado pela sua baixa intensidade, não despendendo pelo menos 50% do tempo total da aula em actividade física moderada a vigorosa; (4) o dispêndio energético não expressou um comportamento diferente nas sessões organizadas de Educação Física e nos momentos de actividade livre de recreio...

The main purpose of the present study was to assess usual physical activity (PA) patterns of school children. The study was carried out with 49 boys and girls (mean age of 10 years) in 4th grade of two schools in Vila Nova de Gaia/Portugal. Children wore a portable accelerometer device (TritracûR3D) on the waist for 5 days. Statistical procedures included descriptives (means, standard deviation, frequency) and independent t-test. The main results were as follows: (1) during the school period, PA level was low, with children not doing the daily minimum of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous PA; (2) boys showed a higher pattern of moderate to vigorous PAthan girls during recess period; (3) children, even in organized physical education (PE) classes, demonstrated a low PA pattern, with less of 50% of the total PE class time in moderate at vigorous PA; (4) there was no difference in energy expenditure when comparing PE class and school recess...