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Abstract: Garcia-Hermoso, A, Cofre-Bolados, C, Andrade-Schnettler, R, Ceballos-Ceballos, R, Fernández-Vergara, O, Vegas-Heredia, ED, Ramírez-Vélez, R, and Izquierdo, M. Normative reference values for handgrip strength in Chilean children at 8-12 years old using the empirical distribution and the lambda, mu, and sigma statistical methods. J Strength Cond Res 35(1): 260-266, 2021-The aim of this study was 2-fold (a) to provide sex- and age-specific handgrip reference standards for Chilean children aged 8-12 years and (b) to compare the levels of handgrip strength of Chilean children with those of children from other countries. This cross-sectional study enrolled 2,026 schoolchildren (boys n = 1,334 and girls n = 692, mean age 10.18 [1.16] years old). Handgrip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer with an adjustable grip. Relative handgrip strength was calculated by dividing handgrip strength by body mass (handgrip strength kg per mass kg). Smoothed centile curves and tables for the 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th, and 90th centiles were calculated using Cole's lambda, mu, and sigma method. The results indicate that mean handgrip strength was greater among boys than girls. Handgrip strength peaked at 16.25 (5.03) kg in boys and 14.90 (4.32) kg in girls. In addition, relative handgrip strength peaked at 0.38 (0.08) in boys and 0.34 (0.07) in girls. Chilean children of both sexes scored higher than their South American counterparts from Colombia and Peru but showed lower handgrip strength than European and Australian children. Our results provide, for the first time, sex- and age-specific handgrip reference standards for Chilean children aged 8-12.9 years. These normative reference values could help identify the levels of handgrip strength that need attention to provide appropriate feedback and advice to children about how to best improve their overall physical fitness., (Copyright © 2018 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

The aim of the study was twofold: (a) to examine the association between health-related physical fitness and attention capacity in Latin American children and adolescents with overweight and obesity and (b) to test whether body composition outcomes are moderators of this association. A cross-sectional design was used to study 201 overweight/obese participants (12.1 ± 2.1 years of age; 34.3% girls) from Chile (Active-Start study) and Colombia (HEPAFIT study). Body composition, muscular fitness, speed-agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness were evaluated using two similar test batteries (ALPHA and FUPRECOL). Attention capacity was measured by the d2 Test. Linear regression and moderation analyses were conducted. Linear regression analysis revealed an association between muscular fitness (β = 0.245, P = .015), speed-agility (β = -0.16, P = .027), cardiorespiratory fitness (β = 0.331, P < .001) and overall fitness score (β = 0.210; P = .004) and attention capacity (all analyses were controlled for age, sex, peak height velocity, maternal education, and study setting). Moderation analysis using the Johnson-Neyman technique revealed that the effect of the relationship between muscular fitness score and speed-agility and attention capacity was stronger as fat mass and fat mass index increased. In conclusion, physical fitness components are associated with higher attention capacity in youth with overweight/obesity, but body composition seems to moderate these relationships. Randomized controlled trials in this population would help to better understand whether improvements in different components of physical fitness lead to better attention capacity, especially in youth with excess adiposity., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)