Validity and Reliability of the International FItness Scale (IFIS) in preschool children

Influence of Parental Perception of Child's Physical Fitness on Body Image Satisfaction in Spanish Preschool Children

It is well known that poor physical fitness is an exponential risk factor in the increase in chronic diseases, not only physical but also psychological. Even in childhood, a critical period of development, the perception of physical fitness plays a fundamental role in the individual's self-concept of body image.

AIM

To find out how self-perceived physical fitness influences self-perceived body image in preschoolers.

METHODS

475 preschool pupils were recruited in the schools of Extremadura (Spain). They were administered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Preschool Physical Fitness Index (IFIS) and the Preschool Body Scale (PBS).

FINDINGS

Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between body dissatisfaction and perceived physical fitness (IFIS), being higher in girls. In terms of variables, general fitness (<0.001), cardio-respiratory fitness (<0.001), muscular strength (<0.001), speed/agility (<0.001) and balance (<0.001) have a negative, medium and significant association with body dissatisfaction in girls; however, this association was lower in the case of boys.

CONCLUSIONS

The influence of physical fitness had a clear impact on self-perceived body image. With better findings on self-perceived physical fitness variables (IFIS) there was less body dissatisfaction (PBS), especially in the female sex. The results also showed that parents who perceived their children to be in poorer physical condition had higher body dissatisfaction. Therefore, it would be interesting for the context involved, particularly parents, to implement strategies to improve positive body image through the promotion of physical education and physical fitness at an early age.

Field-based physical fitness assessment in preschool children: A scoping review

Physical fitness, which can be measured using various health- and skill-related components, is an important indicator of child development and health status. This study undertakes a scoping review on physical fitness assessment methods in preschool children to summarize the most widely used field-based physical fitness batteries and specific test items for preschool children. A search of the literature in English was undertaken using two major electronics databases, which yielded 76 literatures that met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These literatures took the quantitative indicators of physical fitness as the outcome variables in 3-6-year-old children. This review found that of these 76 literatures analyzed, 71.1% came from Europe and 89.5% were published after 2010. The results showed six physical fitness test batteries, with the assessing FITness in PREschoolers (PREFIT) battery is the most widely used, and specific test items such as body mass index (BMI), standing long jump, handgrip, one-leg stance, sit and reach, 20 m shuttle run test (SRT)-PREFIT, and 4 × 10 m SRT are widely used in corresponding components. Therefore, we recommend that an international standard for some specific test items should be developed for preschool children to facilitate more widespread adoption and promote physical fitness assessment for preschool children.