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Pre-service physical education teachers (PPETs) may be implementing health-related fitness testing (HRFT) in schools in the future. Thus, exploring their attitudes toward HRFT would help us understand physical education (PE) teachers' attitudes toward HRFT. This study investigated PPET attitudes toward HRFT in the USA and the effects of teacher characteristics (i.e. gender, ethnicity, year in university, and previous experience with fitness tests) on attitudes. A total of 501 PPETs (283 males, 56.5%; 218 females, 43.5%) aged 28.12 years (SD = 7.34) were included. The previously validated PPETs' attitudes toward HRFT survey was used to collect the data using Amazon's Mechanical Turk. Confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha were first used to examine the validity and reliability of the instrument. Then analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance were performed to test overall attitude differences and attitude subdomain differences in teacher characteristics, respectively. The results generated by the reliable and valid scale indicated that only slightly positive overall attitudes toward HRFT were found among PPETs. Year in university had a significant effect only on the cognitive component of attitude. PPETs' previous experience with fitness tests had significant effects on all aspects of attitudes. No gender or ethnicity differences were found, however. More efforts are needed to improve fitness education in both higher education and K-12 PE programmes in order to help students develop positive attitudes and experiences toward HRFT. Future studies should focus on exploring how PETE programmes prepare PPETs for using HRFT in K-12 programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being physically fit in younger years prevents several diseases in the presence as well as in the life course. Therefore, monitoring physical fitness and motor competence through motor testing is essential for determining developmental status and identifying health-related risks. The main objectives of this systematic review were (1) to identify currently available health-related criterion-referenced standards and cut-off points for physical fitness and motor competence test items, (2) to frame the methodological background on setting health-related criterion-referenced standards and (3) to give implications for a health-related evaluation system for physical fitness and motor competence tests. The electronic data base search (PubMed, Web of Science and SURF) yielded 2062 records in total and identified six empirical studies reporting cut-off points of motor test items for children (7–10 years), as well as 30 methodological papers discussing determination approaches to health-related criterion-referenced standards. Data collection, selection and analyses followed the PRISMA guidelines. Health-related motor test standards need to be gender- and age-specific but should refer to an absolute cut-off point rather than to relative performance in the reference group. Due to the lack of data on health-related criterion referenced standards, receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curves provide a tool for the determination of cut-off points and criterion referenced standards for physical fitness and motor competence tests. A standardized approach forms the fundamental base for a globally applicable evaluation of health-related fitness tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations among predisposing (perceived competence and enjoyment), reinforcing (social environments), enabling factors (motor skills, fitness, physical environments) and physical activity among 288 children, and to identify the age and gender differences among participants. The children completed previously validated questionnaires assessing their perceived competence, enjoyment, school social and physical environments, and physical activity. Physical fitness was measured by FITNESSGRAM fitness testing. Students' motor skills were assessed by PE Metrics. The results indicated that perceived competence and enjoyment predicted physical activity for boys, while perceived competence was the only predictor for girls. Age effects for fitness and skill were significant, as were gender differences for skill, social environment and perceived competence. This study suggests the importance of supportive teachers who provide enjoyable physical education that builds perceived competence for children to improve fitness, motor skill development and physical activity participation. The results support associations between predisposing factors and self-reported physical activity as theorized within the social ecological model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of an acute bout of physical activity on academic performance in school-based settings is under researched. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between a single, vigorous (70–85%) bout of physical activity completed during physical education on standardized mathematics test performance among 72, eighth grade students at a school in the Southwestern United States. Students received both a physical activity and nonactive condition, in a repeated measures design. Academic performance measures were collected at 30 and 45-minutes post condition. It was hypothesized that students would have greater gains in mathematics test scores post physical activity condition compared with post nonactive condition. Results reported students achieved 11–22% higher math scores at 30 minutes post physical activity condition compared with other time points (45 minutes post PA, 30 and 45 minutes post sedentary) (F(1, 68) = 14.42, p < .001, d = .90). Findings suggest that physical activity may facilitate academic performance in math. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the validity and value of fitness testing for children, and issues that are important for the design and delivery of fitness testing for children. Topics include the impact of fitness testing on the physical self-concept of an overweight child, the importance of muscular fitness tests, and measurement of physical activity (PA).

Background: Health benefits of physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) are reasonably well established, but tracking studies of PA and PF in childhood have not ordinarily considered the role of motor coordination. Objectives: To compare the growth status, gross motor coordination (GMC), PA, and PF characteristics of children at 6 years of age relative to aerobic fitness (it, unit) and PA (active, sedentary) at 10 years. Methods: 285 primary school children (142 girls, 143 boys) resident on the 4 main Azorean islands, Portugal, were measured annually (in the fall) from 6 to 10 years. ANOVA and t tests were computed with SPSS 17. Results: Children with either high aerobic fitness or with high level of PA at 10 years of age tended to have a more favorable profile at 6 years compared with those with low fitness or low activity, respectively. Children who were both it and active at 10 years of age had a more favorable activity and fitness profile and had better GMC at 6 years compared with children who were unit and sedentary. Conclusions: Results highlight the need to consider not only PA, but also PF and GMC in health promotion through the primary school years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research is part of the project called "Sustainable social and educational integration through sports activities", which is focused on increasing both the school attendance rate for students in lower secondary education and the ISCED 3 transit rate. Vaslui county has a wide range of vulnerabilities affecting this segment of the school population. Our study aims to highlight the structure of these vulnerabilities, which are divided into 8 categories as follows: Roma students, students with one or both parents working abroad, remigrating students, students from disorganised or single-parent families, students from child protection institutions, students whose parents are immigrants/refugees in Romania, students with special educational needs, students at risk of early school dropout. This applied research was carried out over a period of 3 months. The participating subjects are students enrolled in two middle schools that have an ISCED below 50%; their total number is 190, of whom 105 boys and 85 girls. The research methods used are: scientific documentation, survey, mathematical and statistical method, graphical method. The results of the research are reflected in the identification of vulnerability structures for students in lower secondary education from Vaslui county. The research actually makes an X-ray of the social problems faced by middle-school students in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport is the property of Facta Universitatis, Series Physical Education & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: This study examined the test-retest reliability and feasibility of select fitness assessments in 7-12 year old children on the autism spectrum. Method: Participants (N = 14; n = 1 female; Mage = 9.5 ± 1.7 years) completed 7 fitness assessments, administered in a random order, on two occasions: Bruce protocol; Modified 6-minute walk test (M6MWT); Wingate anaerobic cycling test; muscle power sprint test (MPST); sit & reach; standing long jump; and grip strength. Intraclass correlations (two-way mixed with absolute agreement) were computed to examine test-retest reliability. Feasibility was assessed by questionnaire following the first administration of each test. Results: The Wingate (ICC = .956), standing long jump (ICC = .925), grip strength (ICC = .913), and sit and reach (ICC = .829) tests demonstrated good- to- excellent reliability, while the Bruce protocol (ICC = .811), M6MWT (ICC = .510), and MPST (ICC = .703) demonstrated moderate- to- good reliability based on the 95% confidence intervals of the ICC. All tests demonstrated assessor-rated feasibility scores of 70/100 or higher and child-rated feasibility scores of 66/100 or higher. Conclusion: The results demonstrate moderate- to excellent test-retest reliability for select fitness tests. Short, single-instruction (e.g., standing long jump) tests may be more reliable than lengthier assessments (e.g., M6MWT) in this population. Implications of this work include the ability of practitioners and researchers to feasibly and reliably measure the fitness of school-aged children on the autism spectrum for ongoing health and behavioural monitoring and intervention purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which a sport education season of fitness could provide students with recommended levels of in-class moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) while also increasing students' fitness knowledge and fitness achievement.Method: One hundred and sixty-six 5th-grade students (76 boys, 90 girls) participated in a 20-lesson season called "CrossFit Challenge" during a 4-week period. The Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run, push-ups, and curl-ups tests of the FITNESSGRAM® were used to assess fitness at pretest and posttest, while fitness knowledge was assessed through a validated, grade-appropriate test of health-related fitness knowledge (HRF). Physical activity was measured with Actigraph GT3X triaxial accelerometers.Results: Results indicated a significant time effect for all fitness tests and the knowledge test. Across the entire season, the students spent an average of 54.5% of lesson time engaged in MVPA, irrespective of the type of lesson (instruction, free practice, or competition).Conclusions: The results suggest that configuring the key principles of sport education within a unit of fitness is an efficient model for providing students with the opportunity to improve fitness skill and HRF knowledge while attaining recommended levels of MVPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:A double burden of both under- and over-nutrition exists among South African children. Aim:To describe associations between nutritional statuses and health-related fitness test performances. Subjects and methods:Height and weight of 10 285 children (6–13 years;n = 5604 boys and 4681 girls) were measured and used to calculate body mass index (BMI) and prevalence of overweight and obesity, stunting, wasting and underweight. Physical fitness scores for standing long jump, shuttle run, sit-and-reach, sit-up (EUROFIT) and cricket ball throw were assessed. Age- and gender-specificz-scores were calculated for these variables. Physical fitness for each nutritional status group was compared to children of normal weight. Results:Compared to normal weight children, overweight and obese children scored lower on all fitness tests (p < .001), except cricket ball throw (p = .235) and sit-and-reach (p = .015). Stunted and underweight children performed poorer than normal weight children on most fitness tests (p < .001), except sit-and-reach (stunted:p = .829; underweight:p = .538) and shuttle run (underweight:p = .017). Performance of wasted children was not as highly compromised as other under-nourished groups, but they performed poorer on the cricket ball throw (p < .001). Conclusions:When compared to normal weight children, both under- and over-nourished children performed poorer on some, but not all, health-related fitness tests. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Summary Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 16-week exercise program on serum chemerin concentrations in obese children. Equipment and methods Thirty-two overweight and obese male children were randomly assigned to either a twice-per-week exercise training group (ExG = 16) or a nonexercising control group (CG = 16) for 16 weeks. Body mass index (BMI), body composition, waist circumference (WC), glucose, insulin, insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), lipids and serum chemerin were measured before and after intervention. Results Exercise training significantly improved BMI, body composition, WC, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and lipids’ profile in ExG. Serum chemerin concentrations were high at baseline in both groups, but exercise training reduced its levels after 16 weeks to 168.9 ± 12.6 ng/mL ( P < 0.001). Also, significant correlations were found between changes in chemerin serum concentration and BMI, WC, percentage of body fat, HOMA-IR (respectively; r = 0.78, P = 0.03; r = 0.86, P = 0.03; r = 0.91, P = 0.05; r = 0.75, P = 0.03). Conclusion In conclusion, the 16-week training program used in this study was very effective for producing significant benefits to body composition, insulin resistance and lipids’ profile, as well as lowering chemerin levels in these obese children. Therefore, our data suggests that chemerin serum concentrations are associated with insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate correlations between physical activity, VO and body fat versus autonomic function in children. Methods: Children ( n = 98) between 10 and 12 years underwent a maximal exercise test ( VO) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measured body fat. General physical activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity and vigorous physical activity were assessed by accelerometers. Deep breath test with E/I-ratio calculation and a head-up tilt test were performed. The sum of z-scores represented an index score for autonomic function profile and included E/I-ratio plus difference in blood pressure and heart rate between supine and tilted position. Correlation analyses were performed between physical activity parameters, body fat and VO versus autonomic function profile. Results: No significant correlations were found between autonomic function profile and physical activity or body fat ( p > 0.05). VO was correlated with autonomic function profile in boys ( r = 0.30, p < 0.05), but not in girls ( r = 0.04, NS). One girl and eight boys terminated head-up tilt test prematurely due to intolerance. Minutes of vigorous physical activity per day was lower in these boys compared with those ( n = 48) who completed the head-up tilt test (5.1 ± 3.3 vs. 10.4 ± 6.6, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Physical activity or body fat was not associated with autonomic function profile. VO correlated to autonomic function profile in boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jornal de Pediatria is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. The paper strives to answer the question what is optimism expression for middle school age students in physical education classes. The following hypothesis was tested: optimism expression of boys would be higher than those of girls. The aim of our study was to examine the optimism expression for middle school age students in physical education classes. Methods. The independent random sample consisted of 214 students of middle school age (108 girls and 106 boys). According to the attendance of physical education classes respondents by were divided into two groups: those who did not attend physical education classes for one month or more were assigned to the group of students not attending physical education classes, and others - the group of students attending physical education classes. The measure of optimism expression was evaluated using Dember's Optimism/Pessimism Scale. Results. The hypothesis that optimism expression of boys would be higher than that of girls was confirmed. The comparison of optimism expression between boys and girls revealed that optimism expression for boys of middle school age was higher (p < .05) than that of girls. The comparison of optimism expression among students attending and not attending physical education classes revealed that middle school age students (boys, girls) attending physical education classes were more optimistic (p < .05). Conclusions. It was found that the optimism of middle school age boys was higher in physical education classes comparing them to girls of the same age, and middle school age students (boys and girls) who attended physical education classes were more optimistic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. It is well known that parents influence physical activity of their children. Determining the factors related to parents' perception of the importance of physical activity and physical fitness enables enhancing the promotion of physical activity among children in the future. Methods. A total of 237 parents of children aged between 5 and 10 years participated in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to estimate factor structure of the questionnaire "Parents Perceptions of the Importance of Physical Activity and Their Children's Ability Questionnaire". To investigate the differences between groups Independent-sample /-test was used. Cohen's d was used to estimate effect size. Results. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the eight-issue two-factorial model psychometric parameters were acceptable in order to assess parents' perception of the importance of physical activity and ability (RMSEA = .072; NFI= .97; CFI= .98; NNFI= .98). Parents who were physically active in the past and were active in the present evaluated the importance of physical activity more than inactive parents. Parents' assessments of the importance of physical activity and ability were not significantly different depending on parents' education, university or secondary/ high education. Conclusion. The questionnaire used is a valid measure of parents' assessments of the importance of physical activity and physical ability of the Estonian school students. The questionnaire enables us to identify parents' assessments of the importance of physical activity and physical ability, which may be considered as one of the factors related to children's physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The psychophysical development of humans is genetically determined and influenced by a number of external factors. Nowadays, impacts on the physical development and physical ability of young men are caused by such phenomena as acceleration and civilizational or urban changes. Monitoring of changes in development and the influence of different factors seems to be justified as it is related to the understanding of processes and the introduction of preventive measures in the field of health and physical fitness for future generations. New concepts for testing human physical abilities seem to focus on utilitarian targets related to health needs and daily human activities. The study was performed on a group of 211 boys from an urban area, including 75 at the age of 11, 74 at the age of 12 and 62 at the age of 13. The study examined the strength of abdominal and trunk muscles (sits-up from a lying position), shoulder girdle and lower extremity muscles (overhang on a bar), and explosive strength of upper limbs (forward and backward medicine ball throw). Boys at the age of 11 years achieved the shortest distances, and boys at the age of 13 the longest distances in forward medicine ball throws. The results of the attained distances in backward medicine ball throws were also better in older boys compared to younger ones. The results of the muscle endurance tests were different. In both attempts, boys at the age of 12 attained better results than their younger and older colleagues. The development of strength abilities in boys between the age of 11 and 13 years has stable progress, while the observed differences in muscle endurance in boys at the age of 13 require further monitoring and further examination of their impact in terms of quality and quantity in boys of prepubertal age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Back pain in a pediatric patient can present a worrisome and challenging diagnostic dilemma for any physician. Although most back pain can be attributed to muscle strains and poor mechanics, it is necessary to appreciate the full differential of etiologies causing back pain in the pediatric population. The physician must recognize areas of mechanical weakness in the skeletally immature spine and the sport specific forces that can predispose a patient to injury. A comprehensive history involves determining the onset, chronicity, and location of the pain. A focused physical exam includes a neurological exam as well as provocative testing. The combination of a thorough history and focused physical exam should guide appropriate imaging. Radiographic tests are instrumental in narrowing the differential, making a diagnosis, and uncovering associated pathology. Treatment modalities such as activity modification, heat/cold compresses, and NSAIDs can provide pain relief and allow for effective physical therapy. In most cases nonoperative methods are successful in providing a safe and quick return to activities. Failure of conservative measures requires referral to an orthopedic surgeon, as surgical intervention may be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasingly sedentary habits of children, and rising obesity levels, are prompting concern for children's future health. Children with autistic spectrum condition ( ASC) show a clear trend in this regard. Within school, an understanding of how an individual's fitness compares to age norms is important in order to design appropriate exercise programmes. This study, by Maurice Place, Kathleen Dickinson and Joanna Reynolds, all based at Northumbria University, assessed 100 children with ASC and learning difficulty, and found a wide variation in fitness levels as measured by the Eurofit tests. In addition the measure of cardio-pulmonary fitness ( VO2 max) was generally poor. In boys, body mass index ( BMI) showed only a modest correlation with this measure of cardio-pulmonary fitness, with the results for the girls not being significant. Using a variant of the established BMI calculation did not improve the correlation. To our knowledge this article offers the first set of published Eurofit test results for children with ASC and highlights the generally poor level of cardio-pulmonary fitness in this group of children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background School physical education (PE) and playtime provide important opportunities for physical activity (PA). However, little research has assessed PA during primary school PE using accelerometry or compared PA during different lesson types. There is also a lack of research comparing PA during PE and playtime, despite suggestions that playtime promotes more PA. The primary aim of this study was to determine which types of PE lesson are most facilitative of PA. The secondary aim was to determine whether children are more active during PE or playtime. Methods Descriptive and fitness data were assessed in 20 children aged 8-9years from a single school. Over eight consecutive weeks PA was assessed during PE lessons, which were classified as either team games or movement activities. At the mid-week of data collection playtime PA was also assessed. PA was assessed using accelerometry and the percentage of time spent in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) calculated. Paired t-tests were used to compare MVPA during movement lessons and team games lessons and during PE and playtime. Results Children spent 9.5% of PE lessons in MVPA and engaged in significantly more MVPA during team games (P < 0.001). MVPA was also significantly higher during PE than playtime (P < 0.01). Conclusions Children do not engage in sufficient PA during PE, but are most active during team games lessons; whilst PA during playtime is lower than PE. Interventions to increase PA during both PE and playtime are therefore required. PE interventions should target games lessons as they dominate the curriculum, encourage most PA and present the greatest potential for change. Playtime interventions should encourage participation in active games through the provision of playground equipment and markings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Findings: In the past 20 years, obesity rates among U.S. children have skyrocketed. In fact, 15.4% of 2- to 4-year-olds in North Carolina, where this study takes place, are obese, making it the 5th worst obesity rate in the nation. Research indicates that young children in preschool settings largely engage in sedentary activities, demonstrating the need for programs that encourage physical activity. Starting physical activity early helps children set patterns for lifelong learning and participation. In this article we describe the development and evaluation of a program of physical activities, Be Active Kids, designed to increase the level of physical activity of children birth to age 5 in child care settings in North Carolina. Using a single case study, multiple baseline design, we introduced the intervention in 6 classrooms in 3 child care centers. Teachers received a standardized training, and children in each classroom were observed for their level of physical activity during the baseline and treatment phases. Results demonstrated that teacher training and implementation of physical activities increased light and moderate/vigorous physical activity and was particularly effective when activities were teacher directed. Practice or Policy: This study provides evidence that a program of physical activity can help even the youngest children to be more physically active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with developmental language disorders (DLD) often experience difficulty in understanding and engaging in interactive behavior with other children, which may lead to reduced daily physical activity and fitness levels. The present study evaluated the physical activity and physical fitness levels of 8–11 year old children with DLD ( n = 27) and compared this to typically developing (TD) age and gender matched controls ( n = 27). In addition, it was investigated whether interrelationships existed between physical activity and physical fitness in children with DLD and in TD children. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers. Physical fitness was measured using five tests of the Eurofit test battery (standing broad jump (SBJ), sit-ups (SUP), handgrip (HG), 10 × 5 m shuttle run (10 × 5 m SR), and the 20 m shuttle run test (20 m SR)). Physical activity of children with DLD did not significantly differ from TD children. Physical fitness of children with DLD was significantly lower on the SBJ, SUP, HG and 10 × 5 m SR than TD controls, while no significant difference was found on the 20 m SR. Strong significant relationships were found between physical activity variables and sedentary behavior and some physical fitness measures (SBJ and SUP) in children with DLD, while in TD children a strong significant relationship was found between time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity and performance on the SBJ. This study reveals important differences in fitness between children with DLD and TD children, which should be taken into account when creating physical activity interventions. Special attention has to be paid to children with DLD who show low physical activity and low physical fitness performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In China, the prevalence of overweight and obesity appears to be increasing at unacceptable levels among young people living in major cities undergoing rapid economic growth. Objective: To report the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Shanghai inner city youth using the recently published International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) Asian definition. Methods: Secondary analysis of children aged 8-15 years who participated in the Shanghai Schools' Physical Fitness Examinations, a representative school-based survey. Height and weight were measured and body mass index (kg/m2) was calculated. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined using the IOTF children's BMI cut-points for Asian populations, equivalent to an adult BMI of 23 kg/m2 (overweight) and 27 kg/m2 (obese). Results: The prevalence of combined overweight and obesity was 49.1% for boys and 30.8% for girls aged 8-15-years. Almost one-in-five boys were obese, compared with 8.4% of girls. In boys the prevalence of overweight appeared to increase from age 10 years. Conclusion: The high prevalence of combined overweight and obesity among urban Chinese youth, especially among boys, requires immediate health promotion intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions held by physical education professionals of the sport participation legacy associated with the 2016 Olympic Games (Rio 2016). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 professionals who resided in Rio de Janeiro at the time of the study. In general, apart from the tangible legacies, individuals were completely unaware of what is being proposed by the different levels of government and the organising committee to maximise the potential benefits of the event for the local community. According to participants, the local population was never consulted about, or properly informed of, what was involved in staging the event and its planned legacies. The perceptions of post-Games changes in sport participation, using the 2007 Rio de Janeiro Pan-American Games as a point of comparison, ranged from no impact to a short-term increase. The reason for this, according to participants, was the lack of long-term planning and policies to encourage and promote sport participation. In conclusion, in order for benefits of mega events to be leveraged, the different levels of government need to develop long-term actions and policies to encourage sports participation in conjunction with the employment of the infrastructural legacy towards this end. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

INTRODUCTION: Childhood obesity is an epidemic that is more prevalent in developed countries, but the negative effects it has on children's health could be decreased by good physical fitness. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the level of physical fitness of a group of school children in a city in the North of Spain (Logroño, La Rioja), and to analyze the relationship with the body composition, blood pressure and various socio-demographic factors. METHODS: Research was conducted with a representative sample of 329 students aged 11-12 from all 31 schools of the city. Data included their socio-demographic background, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, biological maturity and physical fitness. RESULTS: Male students and students with normal body weight fared better in physical fitness tests than females and than those who suffered from overweight or obesity. 88% of boys and 80% of girls were found to have healthy aerobic capacity, while only 73% of immigrant children demonstrated this. A major risk of suffering from overweight or obesity was associated with inferior results in physical fitness tests, finding inverse relationships between the percentage of body fat and maximal oxygen uptake (r = -0.524), lower-body explosive strength (r = -0.400) and speed performance (r = 0.385). CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between physical fitness and body composition demonstrates the importance of intervening in order to improve physical fitness, especially with respect to aerobic capacity, with special emphasis needed for immigrant and female students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We estimated the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity of children and adolescents from Castilla-La Mancha region (Spain), applying the new International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) 2012 criteria, and analysed differences in physical fitness components in relation to weight status. The sample was 2,330 schoolchildren aged 6-17 years. We measured height and weight, calculated body mass index (BMI) and assessed physical fitness using four tests included in the EUROFIT battery. Differences in physical fitness components across BMI categories, by sex, were calculated using ANOVA models. In children aged 6-11 years, 4.9 % were underweight, 26.7 % overweight and 11.0 % obese; in adolescents aged 12-17 years, 6.4 % were underweight, 16.7 % overweight and 5.8 % obese. Overall, overweight and obesity were associated with worse physical fitness but students in the underweight category did not score worse than their normal weight counterparts on fitness tests. Conclusion: Childhood obesity in Spain remains a public health problem. Our results show low physical fitness levels in overweight/obese children and adolescents and low levels of handgrip strength in underweight adolescents compared with normal weight subjects. Exercise programmes must be tailored to the specific needs of the subjects according to the different weight status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Jornal de Pediatria is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The purpose of this article is to bring attention to the 10 most pressing questions relevant to musculoskeletal physical fitness testing in children and adolescents. The goal is to stimulate research to answer these questions. The most pressing needs include establishing definitive links between valid, reliable, and feasible field test measures of muscular strength, endurance, power, and flexibility and health risk factors/markers in children and adolescents; determining the effects of exercise training on these relationships; and documenting the tracking of these relationships. The role of flexibility in health-related physical fitness (HRPF) needs to be carefully and specifically examined. Although body weight/composition is a separate component of health-related fitness, it is also a factor that can influence the performance of musculoskeletal test items. The role of body weight, body fat, and central adiposity and the possibility of adjustment of tests results are important research questions. Several questions relate to which field tests are best for use in schools. Finally, actual health-related criterion-referenced cutoff values need to be developed. In conclusion, more quality research is needed to firmly establish the musculoskeletal area for HRPF in youth. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Competence in the motor domain is associated with positive, health-related outcomes. Physical education teachers often administer assessments into their programs to measure motor competence for a variety of reasons. Recently, researchers have questioned the relatedness of performance on different assessments.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare motor assessment outcomes of the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) in school-age children. Method: Sixty-five children (M = 6.7 years) completed the TGMD-2 and the MABC-2. The TGMD-2 includes two subscales: object control and locomotor skills. The MABC-2 includes three subscales: manual dexterity, aiming and catching, and balance. Standard scores and percentile rankings were used for analysis. Findings: Although 10 of the possible 12 Pearson correlations were significant, the range ofr² values was 0.07–0.27 indicating low practical significance. A paired samplest-test revealed that participants scored higher on the MABC-2 (M = 42.2 percentile) compared to the TGMD-2 (M = 17.2 percentile,p < 0.01). A 2 (sex) × 3 (grade) MANOVA revealed no significant sex differences on total performance of the TGMD-2 (F = 0.85,p = 0.36) or the MABC-2 (F = 0.2,p = 0.66), indicating that boys and girls performed similarly on each assessment. Results also revealed no significant differences on total performance on the MABC-2 (F = 0.93,p = 0.4) based on the grade level. However, a grade difference was found on the TGMD-2 (F = 4.3,p = 0.02;η² = 0.128). Tukey's post hoc analysis revealed a significantly higher TGMD-2 performance for first graders compared to second graders (p = 0.03). No significant interaction effect was found for either assessment (p > 0.05). Results indicate that both assessments agreed on 9 out of 11 possible children as at-risk of Developmental Coordination Disorder (81.8% agreement) and 27 out of 29 children as delayed in the motor domain (93.1% agreement). Conclusions: The TGMD-2 and MABC-2 measure different aspects and/or levels of motor competence and should not be used interchangeably. Each assessment may be used to complement each other. Given the level of agreement between the TGMD-2 and the MABC-2 to identify children as at-risk of Developmental Coordination Disorder and developmentally delayed in the motor domain, it may be recommended that physical education teachers administer the TGMD-2 as part of annual testing. Physical educators can act as the first line of defense in early identification of motor delay and can make the appropriate referral based on TGMD-2 performance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Schooling period is particularly important for posture formation because during this period pupils grow and develop quickly, bones and their commissures are intensively forming. The child should also get knowledge about hygiene and healthy lifestyle but still more significance is attached to physical exercises, active physical activities, strengthening all body muscles. 60 eighth form pupils at the age from 13 to 14 years participated in the research. The majority of adolescents choose more than one kind of physical activity but physical education lessons remain the main occupation during which children engage in physical activities. More than a half of adolescents do exercises on their own, less than a half of them go to workouts or the sports club. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Children aged 4 and 5 have great motor potential. Testing certain motor skills and measuring morphological characteristics are important steps in examining sport development of children. The subject of this paper is assessing motor skills and measuring morphological characteristics of students of sport school Sportomanija in Belgrade. The sample was made up of 16 male examinees aged 4 and 5. The battery of motor tests was composed of the following : deep reach (standing position), standing long jump, 20 metres running, 4x5 metres running, lying into sitting position in 20 seconds. Statistical analysis of results meant correlating results of motor tests and anthropometric measurment. The results show a statistically relevant negative correlation between body mass index (BMI) and long jump results (r=-0,55, p<0,05). On the other hand, there is a high positive correlation (over r=0,70, p<0,05) between the results of motor tests: standing long jump, 20 metres running, 4x5 metres running, lying-sit in 20 seconds. These resultes are in the accordance with the similarity in the ways muscle strength is manifested under different conditions. Considering the correlation between these results provides the basis for testing the nature of this conection. Examining the connection between the anthropometric and motor scope during a targeted influence on a child's body in sport school Sportomanija allows for gaining insight into some of the characteristics of the examinee's age. Acquaitance with examinee's model characteristics as well as structure of motor skills and longterm examining of anthropometric and motor scope are the basis of plan and action of the experts working with children and the young. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. During P.E. classes primary school students (grade 4) ought to improve their level of physical fitness, including coordinative motor abilities, as well as to acquire motor skills which enable them to take part in various forms of physical activity in an active and safe way. Unfortunately, in physical education of children and young people the main emphasis is still placed on the improvement of fitness abilities. We have to bear in mind, however, that the level of coordinative abilities limits significantly the improvement of necessary fitness abilities and vice versa. Our research was aimed at determining what dependencies exist between the results of selected coordinative motor abilities and ten-year-old children' results of the tests designed by the International Committee for the standardization of Physical Fitness tests. Material and methods. the research group consisted of 93 students of primary schools in the town of Wołów. In order to determine the level of the particular components of physical fitness we employed the trials of the International Committee for the standardization of Physical Fitness tests (ICSPFT). For assessing the particular coordinative abilities we used the following tests: 'run for the balls', 'stopping the rolling ball', 'long standing jump with 50% of maximum possibilities', 'long standing jump forward and backward'. Results. According to research findings there is a relationship between the improvement of the selected coordinative motor abilities and some of the components of physical fitness. Conclusions. Therefore, a physical education teacher are advised caution in choosing physical exercises and games, taking into consideration comprehensive motor development of students, including their coordinative motor abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there is no standardized course configuration for the administration of the mile run/walk (MRW) test. This study assessed the effect of altering the MRW course configuration on student preference for configurations, student performance during the test, and perception of exertion after the test. Participants completed the MRW test under two different course configurations (5-lap vs. 10-lap). Participating students were divided into an experimental group (n=77) running a 5-lap and a 10-lap MRW configuration and two control groups: a 5-lap MRW configuration (n=17), and a 10-lap MRW configuration (n=21). Before and after running both configurations, students indicated a preference toward the 5-lap MRW. No significant differences were observed for overall MRW time, although the average 10-lap time was lower than the 5-lap time. No differences between track configurations were observed for perceived exertion, perception of running performance or enjoyment. Findings suggest that altering the dimensions of the MRW has no effect on student performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article presents a study on the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and high volume training (HVT) to 14-year-old soccer players. Methods used include endurance training, flexibility exercise, and statistical analysis. Result shows that HVT and HIIT increased the sprint performance of the children athletes, and their jumping performance was not affected.

Purpose. Movement abilities involve human possibilities of efficient, fast and accurate performance of motor activities. They are acquired during individual development as well as in the process of education and activities based on appropriate level of motor abilities and movement experiences. The skills condition precisely determined structure of movement and are visible in the course of a particular activity. Purpose of the research was to determine the level of basic movement skills mastered by children until they reach the age of six who begin and complete education in so called "0" classes preparing them for schooling within randomly selected kindergartens and primary schools in Poland. Methods. The study material is based on the results of research conducted among children attending "0" classes (preparing them for school education) in randomly selected kindergartens and primary schools in Poland. As part of module assessing the level of physical fitness, 33,459 girls and boys (97,8% of all the children) were examined in the first stage of the research; in the second one-34,355 children (97,2% of all the children examined). In the assessment of motor abilities the following skills were evaluated: one-hand/both-hands throw and grasp one-leg/both-legs jump, ball kicks, fast running, as well as general coordination while performing the exercises. Results. There were significant differences between preschool children from cities and villages and from kindergartens and schools. Conclusions. Lowering the school entry age ought to be connected with preparing suitable educational programmes including motor abilities development which satisfy natural needs for movement specific to this age group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which investigates the correlation between youth/adolescent activity questionnaire (YAAQ), youth/adolescent questionnaire (YAQ), and body mass index z (BMIz) score among fourth to sixth grade children from low-income inner cities in the U.S. The study was conducted to 1092 student participants using longitudinal and cross-sectional perspectives. The study reveals that physical and sedentary activity and energy intake were not associated with BMIz score.