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Background: There are few studies that approach the subject of breastfeeding related to the development of motor skills. The study aimed to verify if there are differences in the global and fine motor skills, considering the variables gender and type of breastfeeding, in children from 18 to 44 months., Methods: We developed a quantitative correctional typology, being a cross-sectional study with a sample of 128 children of both genders. The instruments used in the study were the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2, and to assess the profile of the children a questionnaire was delivered to the parents. To test the normality of the sample, we applied the Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test and the Shapiro-Wilk Test. The Mann-Whitney U-Test was used for independent samples, also calculating the effect size., Results: The boys obtained higher mean values in all motor skills, except for the fine motor skills and fine motricity, and in these, the girls obtainied the higher mean values. With respect to the inferential analysis, concerning the variable gender, there are statistically significant differences (P<0.00) in the variables: locomotor skills, object handling skills, global motricity and global motor quotient (P=0.017) the boys exhibiting the higher values, which means the better performances. We also verify that children who were not breastfed with breast milk, through feeding bottle with replacement milk, obtained higher mean values in all motor skills when compared to the ones who were breastfed with breast milk, and there is a statistically significant difference in the variable fine manipulation skills (P=0.024)., Conclusions: Male children obtained better results in all motor skills, except for fine motricity, comparing with female children. Regarding breastfeeding, the children who were not breastfed with breast milk, show better results, mainly in Fine manipulation skills, which may be due to the previous need to handle the bottle on early age.

Background: The importance of physical activity in the first months of age is well known, however, with the evolution of the urban environment, the excessive workload of parents and the excessive time in growing up in kindergartens has limited this same free practice and little has been studied about this issue. In Portugal, there are institutions that provide oriented physical activity for their children, however, this is optional, which may create disadvantages in children's motor skills in these ages., Objective: The objective of the study isto verify if there are differences in the development of motor skills (global and fine) comparing children between 12 and 48 months who practice oriented physical activity (OPA) and children who do not., Methods: Participated in this study, 400 children of both genders (28.14 ± 7.23 months). Two groups were created (the group that had oriented physical activity (30 min long and 2 times a week) and the group that didn't have oriented physical activity). For a better understanding they were divided into 3 age groups (12-23, 24-35 and 36-48 months). Motor skills were assessed using the PDMS-2 scales, for 6 months, following the instrument's application standards., Results: In a first analysis, we found that the majority of children only start to practice oriented physical activity in institutions from 36 months of age, however, it is in the first months (from 12 to 35) that the greatest differences between the two groups can occur. The OPA group presented better results according to the mean values, in all motor skills. Differences between groups were most noticeable in Postural, locomotion and fine manipulation Skills (showing effect size: moderate and low)., Conclusions: We can conclude that a practice of oriented physical activity in the first 48 months is fundamental to the development of motor skills. It is in the first months (up to 36) that there are greater differences, but it is also where there are less children carrying out guided physical activity. This is an important factor, and is determinant to make institutions aware of this importance of this variable in child development., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

This study aimed to verify whether the presence of siblings and the type of delivery had an influence on the motor skills development of children in the first 48 months of life. We developed a quantitative study with a sample of 405 children of both genders, divided according to the studied variables: children with siblings, children without siblings, children born via eutocic delivery, and children born via dystocic delivery. The instrument used in the study was the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2. Overall, the results indicated that children who had siblings had, on average, better outcomes regarding all motor skills (global and fine). Furthermore, those born via eutocic delivery, on average, had better outcomes regarding all motor skills (global and fine) when compared to children born via dystocic delivery. Thus, the presence of siblings in the family context and the type of delivery positively influenced motor development, especially after 24 months of age, showing that the presence of siblings providing cooperative activities through play and challenges improved cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Furthermore, a eutocic delivery, in addition to providing a better recovery from labor and the immediate affective bond between mother and child, also led to better results in terms of global and fine motor skills.

(1) Background: The objective of the study was to verify the effects of COVID-19 confinement on motor skills through a longitudinal study in Portuguese children who were one year old at the beginning of the pandemic. (2) Methods: The sample consisted of 88 children of both sexes, in the pre-COVID-19 assessment, they were 13.31 ± 2.4 months old and in the post-COVID-19 assessment, the same children were already 49.31 ± 2.5 months old. Motor skills were assessed using the PDMS-2 scales. For the statistical analysis, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used to test normality, and the Wilcoxon test was used to compare the results of the two assessments in the same sample. (3) Results: There were statistically significant differences in all motor skills assessed, with children presenting, on average, worse results in all global motor skills in the post-COVID-19 assessment, as opposed to fine motor skills, showing better results in the post-COVID-19 assessment. (4) Conclusions: These results show the negative impact of the pandemic on children evaluated with a special emphasis on global motor skills, with the majority demonstrating values considered below average for their age, noting that the pandemic protocols may have had serious consequences on children's motor development, warning professionals who deal daily with children in these age groups about the importance of stimulating global motor skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to verify whether there are differences in the body composition, functionality, lower-limb power, agility, and cardiorespiratory capacity in futsal players, comparing futsal athletes by competitive level. The athletes (N = 84) were divided into three groups: group Elite (N = 29), group Sub-Elite (N = 29), and group Non-Elite (N = 26). Anthropometric variables were analyzed through a bioimpedance scale (Inbody 270), and functionality was analyzed through a functional movement screen battery. The power of the lower limbs was tested with the Abalakov jump, the agility with the zigzag agility test, and the cardiorespiratory capacity through the futsal intermittent endurance test. Anthropometric data from futsal athletes revealed a homogeneity in relation to the variables analyzed, regardless of the level of competition in which they operate. In performance variables, the power of the members and functionality was considered a discriminating factor of the level of competitiveness of the athletes, with the Elite group athletes presenting the best values. We concluded that there were no differences in relation to the body composition of the athletes. However, the athletes of higher levels, as a rule, present better performances in physiological aspects, results that can be explained by the fact that there is a better periodization in terms of training, with more intense loads and more complex competitive calendars, thus resulting in a greater specialization of these athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Futsal, with its tactical dynamism and agility, demands motor mastery and quick thinking. Soccer, on expansive fields, requires endurance and precise strategy. Physical condition is a crucial foundation in both, optimizing performance and preventing injuries. Both modalities exemplify the symbiosis between body and mind in the sporting context. Squat Jump (SJ) training was shown to improve physical ability in soccer players in pre-season. The purpose of this study was to analyse the differences in the SJ outcomes (Jump Height (JH), Flight Time (FT), Power (P), Initial Speed) between young soccer and futsal players. Fifty-seven young people (soccer: n = 34; age = 14.09 ± 2.68 years old, height = 1.63 ± 13.91 m, body mass = 55.33 ± 14.67 kg; futsal: n = 23; age = 14.13 ± 2.69 years old, height = 1.66 ± 13.18 m, body mass = 56.76 ± 15.79 kg) took part of this study. The participant performed the SJ from a contact mat using the Chronojump system (Chronojump-Boscosystem, Spain). Mann-Whitney and T-Test for Independent samples were used to verify differences between groups. We found that soccer players demonstrate higher power than futsal players, and the futsal player higher jump height than the soccer group, while other jump-related variables remain similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Futsal, with its tactical dynamism and agility, demands motor mastery and quick thinking. Soccer, on expansive fields, requires endurance and precise strategy. Physical condition is a crucial foundation in both, optimizing performance and preventing injuries. Both modalities exemplify the symbiosis between body and mind in the sporting context. The countermovement jump (CMJ) is used to measure the explosive power of the lower limbs in an individual. The purpose of this study was to analyse the differences in the CMJ outcomes (Jump Height (JH), Flight Time (FT), Power (P), Initial Speed) between young soccer and futsal players. Fiftyseven young people (soccer: n = 34; age = 14.09 ± 2.68 years old, height = 1.63 ± 13.91 m, body mass = 55.33 ± 14.67 kg; futsal: n = 23; age = 14.13 ± 2.69 years old, height = 1.66 ± 13.18 m, body mass = 56.76 ± 15.79 kg) took part of this study. The participant performed the CMJ from a contact mat using the Chronojump system (Chronojump-Boscosystem, Spain). Mann-Whitney and T-Test for Independent samples were used to verify differences between groups. We found that futsal players demonstrate notably higher power than soccer players (p < .05; 640.85 ± 238.25 vs 566.62 ± 166.23 watts, respectively), while other jump-related variables remain similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of Peabody Developmental Motor Scales II (PDMS-2-Folio and Fewell, 2000) using a Portuguese sample. The validation of the Portuguese version of the PDMS-2 was applied according to the manual, for 392 children, from two institutions, from 12 to 48 months, with an analysis of the internal consistency (α Cronbach), of test–retest reliability (ICC) and construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis). The results of the confirmatory factorial analysis (χ2 = 55.614; df = 4; p = 0.06; χ2/df =13.904; SRMR (Standardized Root Mean Square Residual) = 0.065; CFI (Comparative Fit Index) = 0.99, TLI = 0.99, RMSEA (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation) = 0.068) of two factors (Gross Motor and Fine Motor) as the original version but correlated. Most of the subtests had good internal consistency (α = 0.85) and good test–retest stability (ICC = 0.98 to 0.99). The results indicated that the Portuguese version of the PDMS-2 is adequate and valid for assessing global and fine motor skills in children aged 12 to 48 months, and can be used as a reference tool by health and education professionals to assess motor skills and, thus, allowing to detect maladjustments, deficiencies or precocity, so that children can later receive appropriate intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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