Relationship between motor fitness, fundamental movement skills, and quality of movement patterns in primary school children

Comparison of physical activity, sedentary time, and physical fitness among Chinese children and adolescents in Qinghai between 2019 and 2023

This study aimed to assess the differences in physical activity and physical fitness in 2019 and 2023 among children and adolescents in Qinghai Province. Data were collected from the Chinese National Survey on Student Constitution and Health (CNSSCH) in 2019 and 2023. The study ultimately included 13,296 participants (5,039 in 2019 and 8,257 in 2023) aged 6-22, including primary, middle, and high school students in Qinghai Province, China. Physical fitness assessments included height, weight, vital capacity, sit-and-reach distance, pull-ups, timed sit-ups, standing long jump, 50-meter dash, 800-meter run, 1000-meter run, 50 m × 8 shuttles run, and timed rope-skipping. Independent samples T-tests and multiple linear regression analyses were employed to explore differences and associations in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary time (SED), and physical fitness in this population in 2019 and 2023. Compared to 2019, children and adolescents measured in 2023 showed a significant increase in MVPA and a significant decrease in SED. Vital capacity improved significantly across all academic stages, with primary school girls showing improved performance in the 50 × 8 shuttles run. Secondary school students significantly declined in their performance in 800 m and 1000 m runs. Standing long jump performance improved for middle and high school students, while pull-ups declined for high school boys. Timed sit-ups declined for middle school girls, with no significant changes at primary and high school. Flexibility improved for high school boys and both middle and high school girls but decreased for primary school boys and girls, as well as for middle school boys. Timed rope-skipping was measured only in primary school students, and it improved significantly. Speed performance, measured by the 50 m dash, improved in primary school students but declined in middle and high school students. Regression analysis revealed that MVPA was positively associated with vital capacity, 800 m running, standing long jump, pull-ups, and timed sit-ups, while negatively associated with 1000 m running, timed rope-skipping, and 50 m dash. SED was positively associated with 800 m and 1000 m running performance and timed sit-ups. Our study highlights distinct trends in physical fitness across school stages, and sex associations of MVPA and SED with fitness outcomes underscore the need for tailored, region-specific health strategies in high-altitude, underdeveloped areas.

The Relationship Between Manual Dexterity and Toothbrushing Efficiency in Preschool Children: A Crossover Study

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between oral hygiene (OH) efficiency and manual dexterity skills in Spanish five-year-old children using two fine motor tests.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study with a pre-post evaluation was designed. The children's OH was measured according to the Silness and Löe plaque index (PI) before toothbrushing upon arrival at school (pre) and after supervised toothbrushing (post). Motor skills (children's dexterity) were determined with the Visual Motor Skills and Resistance to Fatigue test (VMSRF test) and the scale for the Behavioural Assessment of Preschool Skills (BAPS scale). Data were analysed with the SPSS® statistics software with a 95% confidence interval and bilateral significance.

RESULTS

One hundred and twenty-nine children were evaluated. The mean PI was 2.5, indicating generally poor OH in the sample. No difference in OH was observed between genders or in the brushing frequency categories. No significant differences in OH or the PI were found between right- and left-handed children either (p > 0.05). Significant differences were found between the OH category pre and post toothbrushing in the total sample, as well as in the various sextants and surfaces evaluated. The results of the VMSRF and BAPS tests indicate moderate visuomotor skills and fatigue resistance and a poor average skill level. A statistically significant improvement in the PI was found in children with higher scores in the VMSRF and BAPS tests.

CONCLUSIONS

A significantly higher OH efficacy was found in children with better motor skills, although five-year-old children showed moderate visuomotor skills and fatigue resistance and a poor average preschool skill level.

Balance assessment with decreased base of support for children with disabilities

BACKGROUND

Children's ability to achieve an appropriate motor development is largely associated with their capacity to control balance. Furthermore, accomplishing balance tasks with a narrowed base of support is a necessary precursor to engaging in everyday functional activities and developing more complex balance abilities.

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between the tandem stance (TS) and the single-limb stance (SLS) items of the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) assessment tool with the PBS total score in children with impaired balance.

METHODS

Forty-two children (22 with neurological disabilities, 10.7±3.1 years; 20 typically developing [TD], 8.3±2.7 years) performed all 14 PBS items. Linear regressions separately determined the impact of TS and SLS on total PBS score in both groups. Bland-Altman plots expressed agreement between the balance measurements.

RESULTS

For children with disabilities, only the SLS entered the model, explaining 64.5% of the variance in total PBS score. A high level of agreement was observed between the SLS and total PBS scores. For TD children, only the TS entered the model, explaining 45.2% of the variance in the total PBS score. A high level of agreement was observed between the TS and total PBS scores.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the practical and efficient use of a single balance task to assess balance ability in children with disabilities.

Exploring the Relationship between Fundamental Movement Skills and Health-Related Fitness among First and Second Graders in Korea: Implications for Healthy Childhood Development

This study investigated the relationship between fundamental movement skills (FMSs) and health-related fitness (HRF) among first and second graders in South Korean elementary schools. It aimed to provide foundational data for developing physical education programs tailored to the motor development stages and fitness levels of younger elementary school students. This study utilized secondary data from the physical activity competence evaluation conducted by the Health Physical Activity Institute (HPAI). In October 2023, the HPAI evaluated the fundamental movement skills (jumping, running, hopping, static balance, dynamic balance, overhand throwing, and kicking) and health-related fitness (muscular strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility) of 291 first and second-grade students. The collected data were analyzed through frequency and multiple regression analyses performed using SPSS software. The results revealed that higher scores in jumping and hopping are associated with greater muscular strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility. Running had no significant effect on HRF elements. Higher scores in static balance (i.e., that used in single-leg stance) were associated with increased muscular strength, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility, but dynamic balance (balance beam walking) did not have a significant effect. Higher scores in overhand throwing were associated with greater muscular strength and cardiorespiratory endurance, but kicking did not show a significant association. Overall, these findings emphasize the importance of prioritizing jumping and static balance in physical education for the well-rounded health development of first and second graders. Based on the results derived from this study, it is expected to serve as a theoretical basis for including "jumping" and "static balance" in the first and second grade curriculum of elementary schools, thereby providing essential guidance.

Malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty assessment in pediatric transplantation

Nutrition assessment can be challenging in children with end-stage organ disease and in those requiring an organ transplant. The effect of poor nutrition status can exert long-lasting effects on children with end-stage organ disease requiring transplantation. Malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty are conditions that require provision of optimal nutrition to prevent or support the treatment of these conditions. Unfortunately, the literature on the assessment of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty in pediatric end-stage organ disease is scarce, thus leading to confusion on how to effectively identify them. Recently, the addition of a variety of validated nutrition and functional assessment techniques has assisted with appropriate assessment of these conditions. The objective of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the current literature for pediatric assessment of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and frailty in the setting of solid organ transplantation and provide practicing nutrition clinicians a solid foundation for learning how to effectively assess these conditions with the current literature available.

Effects of intervention integrating physical literacy into active school recesses on physical fitness and academic achievement in Chinese children

Background/Objective

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of school-based intervention integrating physical literacy (PL) into active school recesses (ASR) on physical fitness (i.e., body composition, 20-m shuttle run, 50-m run, rope skipping, sit and reach, handgrip) and academic achievement (i.e., academic result of Chinese and Mathematics) in Chinese children.

Methods

A total of 357 children (mean age: 7.8 ± 0.7 years; boys: 50.4%) were recruited from two schools and these two schools were randomly assigned as the intervention group (IG) and the control group (CG), respectively. The IG consisted of 155 children (mean age: 7.9 ± 0.7 years, boys: 51.0%), and 202 children (mean age: 7.8 ± 0.7 years; boys: 50%) were allocated to the CG. Children in the IG received a 10-week intervention integrating PL that was conducted during ASR. In the CG, children's regular school activity was remained during the intervention period. Generalized estimating equation was performed to compare the levels of physical fitness and academic achievement between the IG and the CG after intervention.

Results

Regarding physical fitness, there was a significant group × time interaction on 20-m shuttle run (β = -3.89, 95% CI [-5.08; -2.71], p < 0.001) and handgrip (β = -0.70, 95% CI [-1.20; -0.20], p = 0.006). After intervention, children in the IG had a greater increase than the CG (p < 0.001) in terms of 20-m shuttle run and handgrip. In addition, the post-test analysis indicated that performance of children in the IG was significantly greater than those in the CG (20-m shuttle run: p < 0.001, handgrip: p = 0.002). There was a significant group × time interaction on academic result of Chinese (β = -1.21, 95% CI [-1.91; -0.56], p = 0.001) and academic result of Mathematics (β = 16.71, 95% CI [15.14; 18.143], p < 0.001). Statistically significant positive difference in post-test was observed in academic result of Mathematics between the IG and the CG (p = 0.012).

Conclusion

The results of this intervention study indicate that intervention integrating PL into ASR could bring a promising effect on physical fitness and academic achievement in children. It is recommended that future studies are necessary to assess the effects of ASR-based PL intervention on physical and cognitive outcomes using a wide range of sample.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training Intervention on Physical Fitness and Body Mass Index of Overweight Primary Schoolchildren

Being overweight has serious health consequences for schoolchildren. Schools use different physical education (PE) programs for obesity prevention in children, but the overall positive impact of school-based interventions is questionable. This scientific work investigated the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention on physical fitness performance and body mass index (BMI) of overweight primary schoolchildren (seven years old males). Sixty-four boys, who had overweight, participated in this study. All participants practiced 44 PE classes. Control group (G1; n=32; mean age: 7.46±0.32 years; mean height: 123.35±3.28 cm; mean body mass: 27.81±2.32 kg; mean BMI: 17.82±0.11) performed curriculum PE during the investigation. The experimental group (G2; n=32; mean age: 7.54±0.27 years; mean height: 123.26±3.41 cm; mean body mass: 27.84±2.07 kg; mean BMI: 17.78±0.14) performed sixteen-week HIIT intervention in PE classes. Participants' height, weight, BMI, and physical fitness: push-up test, running sprint test, standing long jump test (SLJ), seat-and-reach test (SRT), and six-minute walk test (6MWT) were assessed in pre- and post-PE intervention. There were significant (p

Fundamental motor skill proficiency among 7- to 10-year-old children with Down syndrome

[Purpose] The purposes of this study were to assess the fundamental motor skill (FMS) of children with Down syndrome (DS) and to compare their FMS proficiencies to those of chronological age-matched and gender-matched typically developing children (TDC). [Participants and Methods] This cross-sectional study involved a total of 60 participants (30 children with DS and 30 TDC). The FMS proficiency of participants was assessed by using the test of gross motor development, second edition (TGMD-2). The data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests to verify the differences between the two groups and gender. The effect size of Cohen's d was also determined for comparing the two groups. [Results] The results showed that there were significant differences between children with DS and the TDC on locomotor and object control standard scores, and the gross motor quotient (GMQ). However, there were no significant gender-based differences in the locomotor and object control standard scores and the GMQ in both groups. [Conclusion] Based on the current results, the FMS proficiency of children with DS is lower than the TDC. Therefore, a therapeutic intervention program is necessary for children with DS to improve their FMS proficiency.

Factors Associated with Motor Competence in Preschoolers from a Brazilian Urban Area

Background

Preschool is a crucial period for developing motor skills.

Objective

This study evaluated factors associated with motor competence in preschoolers from a Brazilian urban area.

Methods

A total of 211 preschoolers (51.2% girls and 48.8% boys) were evaluated. Body mass index was calculated; the Brazilian Economic Research Criterion, the Mini-Mental Scale (MMC) and the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale®, Revised (ECERS-R™) were applied; the Habitual Physical Activity time was recorded; the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2) was performed. Univariate analysis was performed using simple linear regression for the independent variables, considering the motor test subscales as dependent variables. Variables with p < 0.20 in the univariate analysis were considered for the multiple linear regression model and were entered into the stepwise method.

Results

The independent variables remaining in the Standard Score Locomotor model were BMI, presence of park at school, and MMC (R2 = 0.16). The independent variables remaining in the Standard Object Control score were MMC and gender (R2 = 0.03). The variables associated with the highest scores of Gross Motor Quotient were MMC, body mass index, and presence of a park at school, respectively (R2 = 0.11).

Conclusion

Male eutrophic preschoolers who are physically active and attend schools with parks or courtyards in a Brazilian urban area have the highest scores for global cognitive function and motor competence.

Experimental Study: Children's Perceptions Expressed Through Drawings and Coloring

A large body of literature has addressed processes underlying human perception, with some assertions that children do not perceive space or colors in the same way as adults. Since children express themselves easily and acquire knowledge through graphic symbols, when determining psycho-motor maturity and perceptions of a preschool aged children, observers must evaluate their use of non-verbal graphics. Thus, we used young children's drawings to examine their use of color and spatial perception, as well as to identify differences between children in rural and urban communities. Of 94 participants from rural and urban communities, 46 were kindergarten aged (5.5-6.5 years), and 48 were preschool aged (4.5-5.5 years). Comparing children from urban and rural areas, there were significant differences in their perception of different colors and spatial relations. Motor abilities were significantly different between children of different ages and gender. We argue that the applied assessment methods, such as children's drawings, could be a basis for measuring effective learning and practicing of children's abilities as expressed in the classroom, and that tools may be useful for creating individualized educational plans and programs for developing children's skills through play.

Assessment of Dysfunctional Movements and Asymmetries in Children and Adolescents Using the Functional Movement Screen-A Narrative Review

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a screening tool that identifies dysfunctional movements in seven test items requiring an interplay of cognitive, perceptual, proprioceptive, and motor functions that involve muscular strength/endurance, flexibility, mobility, coordination, and balance. The results of the FMS include an overall composite score, scores on the individual test items, and identification of compensatory movement patterns and left-right asymmetries on 5 bilateral test items. Although there is a plethora of literature on the use of the FMS in adults, there is a growing body of evidence indicating its use in children. The available research in children involves school children and young athletes in at least 20 different sports in over 20 countries and comparisons between pre- and post-pubescent children, and normal weight, overweight, and obese children. Studies that include measures of adiposity and physical activity levels, or report prevalence of asymmetries and dysfunctional movement patterns are not well represented in the children’s literature. The purpose of this paper is to synthesize the currently available literature in children and suggest potential uses of the FMS by coaches, physical educators, and other health/fitness professionals, appropriate interpretation of results, and future research in children.