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The purpose of the research is to determine informative indicators for in-group and intra-group control of 14 and 15 years’ age boys’ motor fitness. Material & methods: in the research 112 schoolchildren participated: 14 years’ age (n=44), 15 year’ age (n=68). The materials of the research were processed in program of statistical analysis IBM SPSS 20. Factorial analysis as well as discriminant were fulfilled. Results of the research: it was found that for control of motor fitness the most informative indicators were indicators of static power endurance and physical condition. It was also found that results of test “keeping angle on parallel bars” made the highest contribution in function’s change and the closest correlation with the function. Conclusions: 14 years’ boys have better indicators of static and relative strength than 15 years’ age boys. It points at the fact that in 15 years’ age sharp changes of body mass, weight as well as reduction of motor functioning are the reasons of lagging behind. The received data witness that factorial and discriminant analysis can be methodological base for determination of tests’ in-group and intra-group informational potential. For comprehensive control of motor fitness test “Keeping of angle on parallel bars” can be recommended.

Purpose: To investigate whether athletes who engage in different modes of sports training correspondingly exhibit different patterns of performance on general cognition tasks. Methods: Sixty participants were recruited into an endurance, motorically complex, or control group, and were administered a series of physical tests and neuropsychological assessments. Results: Athletes in the endurance group demonstrated the highest levels of cardiovascular fitness and those in the motorically complex group exhibited the highest levels of motor fitness. Nonetheless, no differences in cognitive performance were observed between the 3 groups. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the mode of sport training, which results in either high cardiovascular or high motor fitness, bears no relationship to measures of general cognition in elite athletes. The present findings suggest that coaches and athletic trainers should be encouraged to monitor athletes' stress levels during training in order to maximize the beneficial effects of such training on general cognitive performance.

This study evaluated how aerobic capacity is related to performance in other aspects of health-related physical fitness among schoolchildren. The study involved >15,200 schoolchildren of both genders aged 11–18 years, who were tested with a reliable tests from Eurofit battery for most important aspects of exercise capacity and anthropometrics from 1992 to 2012. The analysis showed that aerobic capacity was weakly but significantly positively related to all other aspects of exercise abilities tested in all age groups for both genders. Variance of performance in agility shuttle run and standing broad jump were each explained by aerobic capacity the strongest (>10%), followed by weaker but still significant positive relation of aerobic capacity with the abilities in bent arm hang and abdominal curl tests (aerobic capacity explaining ∼6.5% of the variance of the performance in these tests), as well as in balance and flexibility tasks (aerobic capacity significantly explaining ∼3% of the variance). Thus, while aerobic capacity in schoolchildren of all ages and both genders can explain the performance in other aspects of physical fitness and especially leg muscle power, the percent of explained variance in the results of any these tests was not high and therefore aerobic capacity should be tested as a separate important fitness parameter which cannot be substituted by other tests from the Eurofit battery.

The purpose of the present study is to assess the physique and fitness status of young school and college age swimmers from West Bengal. This cross sectional study was carried out on 46 male and 9 female swimmers of 9-20 years of age. The study parameters include body height, body weight, BMI, different anthropometric parameters, skinfold thickness and aerobic power, strength, flexibility, blood pressure and pulmonary function. Besides, history of training was taken by questionnaire. In the present study male and female adolescent swimmers have significantly higher body fat than their non-swimmer counterparts. Besides, respiratory capacity, max. oxygen consumption and flexibility parameters are significantly higher in male and female swimmers than in control group boys and girls. Besides, highly significant correlation has been found between sitting height, arm span and hand span of swimmer with swimming speed, years of training(swimming) and percentage of body fat. Again, pulmonary function, strength and max. oxygen consumption parameters are significantly correlated with years of training and speed of training. Therefore, simple regression equations are constructed to predict strength, respiratory and cardio-vascular parameters of adolescent swimmers on the basis of years of swimming and speed of swimming. When different style of swimming is considered it has been observed that highest Vo2 max value has been found in free style and butterfly swimmers followed by breast stroke and then back stroke swimmers. Swimmers of the present study when compared to international standard, they are shorter and lower in body fat content values and some physiological parameters like Vo2 max, flexibility and hand grip strength than international standard values. From this study it can be concluded that as there is no available information regarding strength, cardiovascular and respiratory status of adolescent girls and boys swimmers of West Bengal, this study can be said to be a pilot study on the basis of which further elaborate investigation requires to be initiated. Thus these baseline information of physique and physiological parameters of adolescent swimmers will provide local database for coaches and sports physiologists to develop proper training schedule and for identification of talent in the early ages.

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The purpose of this study was to determine pedagogical conditions for effective swimming training of students of pedagogical educational institutions. Materials and methods. The experimental group (EG) consisted of 45 first-year female students of the schools of foreign philology, physics and mathematics education, natural geography and ecology (special medical group) who had a sufficient physical fitness level and could not swim. The control group (CG) was composed of 40 first-year female students of the schools of foreign philology, physics and mathematics education, natural geography and ecology (special medical group) who had a sufficient physical fitness level, could float, swim short distances (3-5 meters). Results. After the experiment, there was a significant improvement in the test results. Specifically, the experimental group students showed increase in all parameters of the cardiorespiratory system functional state -- an increase in breath-holding time in the Stange's test and the Genci's test (p = 0.001) and, accordingly, in the Harvard step test (p = 0.001). The results of the experimental group students improved in the Harvard step test by 13.56%; in the Stange's test -- by 9.26%; in the Genci's test -- by 13.15% (p = 0.001). The experimental group students showed a statistically significant improvement in the test results of physical fitness. Specifically, in the tests: "Standing long jump", the result increased by 4.70%; "Sit-ups in 30 seconds" -- by 10.59%; "Jumping rope" -- by 6.91%; "Push-ups" -- by 17.62% (p = 0.001). Conclusions. The study revealed a statistically significant effectiveness of the suggested methods of teaching swimming to special medical group students. On the basis of discriminant analysis, the researchers ascertained a statistically significant influence of the experimental methods on the dynamics of the students' physical and functional fitness. Positive dynamics of change was found in the indicators of high level of anxiety during swimming training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Although physical fitness is considered a marker of health in youth, little is known whether physical fitness in pre-school age is related to later body composition. Thus, this study investigated (i) associations of physical fitness at 4.5years of age with body composition 12months later and (ii) whether improvements in physical fitness during the 12-month follow-up were associated with changes in body composition.Design: This study included 142 children, measured at 4.5 and 5.5years, from the control group of the MINISTOP trial.Methods: Physical fitness (cardiorespiratory fitness, lower- and upper-body muscular strength and motor fitness) was measured using the PREFIT test battery. Body composition was assessed using air-displacement plethysmography.Results: In adjusted regression analyses, greater cardiorespiratory fitness, lower-body muscular strength and motor fitness at 4.5years were associated with a lower fat mass index at 5.5years (standardized β=-0.182 to -0.229, p≤0.028). Conversely, greater cardiorespiratory fitness, lower- and upper-body muscular strength as well as motor fitness at 4.5years of age were associated with a higher fat-free mass index (standardized β=0.255-0.447, p≤0.001). Furthermore, improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, lower-body muscular strength and motor fitness during the 12-month follow-up period were associated with decreases in fat mass index and/or % fat mass.Conclusions: In conclusion, the results of this study provide evidence of the importance of physical fitness early in life. Nevertheless, further studies are needed in order to clarify the influence of physical fitness in the pre-school age with later health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in physical and motor fitness, as well as athletic identity, at post retirement from elite sport. Participants were 18 former and 18 current elite athletes. Both groups completed a range of physical and motor fitness tests. Current identity was assessed using the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS). The retired athletes completed the AIMS a second time, retrospectively reflecting on identity during their sporting careers. No differences were observed between current and retired athletes on measures of physical fitness; however, current athletes performed better on all tests of motor fitness. No significant differences were noted between current and retired athletes with regard to identity, nor between retired athletes' current and former identity. These results contribute to the limited extant literature examining physical and bodily changes post retirement. Physical rather than motor fitness may be more closely tied to identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated how aerobic capacity is related to performance in other aspects of health-related physical fitness among schoolchildren. The study involved >15,200 schoolchildren of both genders aged 11–18 years, who were tested with a reliable tests from Eurofit battery for most important aspects of exercise capacity and anthropometrics from 1992 to 2012. The analysis showed that aerobic capacity was weakly but significantly positively related to all other aspects of exercise abilities tested in all age groups for both genders. Variance of performance in agility shuttle run and standing broad jump were each explained by aerobic capacity the strongest (>10%), followed by weaker but still significant positive relation of aerobic capacity with the abilities in bent arm hang and abdominal curl tests (aerobic capacity explaining ∼6.5% of the variance of the performance in these tests), as well as in balance and flexibility tasks (aerobic capacity significantly explaining ∼3% of the variance). Thus, while aerobic capacity in schoolchildren of all ages and both genders can explain the performance in other aspects of physical fitness and especially leg muscle power, the percent of explained variance in the results of any these tests was not high and therefore aerobic capacity should be tested as a separate important fitness parameter which cannot be substituted by other tests from the Eurofit battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate anthropometric characteristics as determinants of 500 m rowing ergometer performance in physically inactive collegiate females. In this cross-sectional study, which included 196 collegiate females aged 19-23 years not participating in regular physical activities, body mass (BM), body height (BH), length of upper limbs (LA), length of lower limbs (LL), body mass index (BMI), slenderness index (SI), and the Choszcz-Podstawski index (CPI) were measured and a stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed. Participants performed 500 m maximal effort on a Concept II rowing ergometer. BM, BH, LA, LL, and the BMI, SI and CPI indices were found to be statistically significant determinants of 500 m performance. The best results (T) were achieved by females whose BH ranged from 170 to 180 cm, with LA and LL ranging from 75 to 80 cm and 85 to 90 cm, respectively. The best fitting statistical model was identified as: T = 11.6793 L R – 0.1130 L R 2 – 0.0589 L N 2 + 29.2157 CPI 2 + 0.1370 LR·LN - 2.6926 LR·CPI – 211.7796. This study supports a need for additional studies focusing on understanding the importance of anthropometric differences in rowing ergometer performance, which could lead to establishing a better quality reference for evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness tested using a rowing ergometer in collegiate females

Copyright of Polish Journal of Sports Medicine / Medycyna Sportowa is the property of Agencja Wydawnicza Medsportpress Sp. z o. o. 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.)

In the past decade, there has emerged a vast research literature dealing with attempts to harness brain plasticity in older adults, with a view to improving cognitive function. Since cognitive training (CT) has shown restricted utility in this regard, attention has increasingly turned to interventions that use adjunct procedures such as motor training or physical activity (PA). As evidence builds that these have some efficacy, it becomes necessary to ensure that the outcome measures being used to infer causal influence upon cognitive function are subjected to appropriate critical appraisal. It has been highlighted previously that the choice of specific tasks used to demonstrate transfer to the cognitive domain is of critical importance. In the context of most intervention studies, standardized tests and batteries of cognitive function are de rigueur. The argument presented here is that the latent constructs to which these tests relate are not usually subject to a sufficient level of analytic scrutiny. We present the historical origins of some exemplar tests, and give particular consideration to the limits on explanatory scope that are implied by their composition and the nature of their deployment. In addition to surveying the validity of these tests when used to appraise intervention-related changes in cognitive function, we also consider their neurophysiological correlates. In particular, we argue that the broadly distributed brain activity associated with the performance of many tests of cognitive function, extending to the classical motor networks, permits the impact of interventions based on motor training or PA to be better understood.

Abdominal obesity is caused by several factors and the explanation of the level of its variability also depends on anthropometric indexes applied for its assessment. The aim was to determine the degree of explanation of the abdominal adiposity variation, presented by the aggregate fat distribution index (AFDI), through the socio-economic status and lifestyle. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted on a sample of 259 healthy working males aged 20-30 from the city of Cracow, Poland. A full model was created using a stepwise backward regression with the social and lifestyle data as independent variables and the AFDI as a dependent variable. The AFDI was created by unitarization applied to selected characteristics of fat distribution which were transformed into [0,1] interval (without measurement unit) and then added and averaged to form a composite index. The highest autonomous influence on AFDI is ascribed to age (b = 0.2456 p = 0.000), level of motor fitness b=−0.2392 p=0.000), leisure time physical activity (b=−0.1353 p=0.000) and being born in a rural area (b=0.1300 p=0.000). The variables explain 17% (R2=0.1667) of the variation of the central fat distribution. Variation of the abdominal adiposity was explained with the use of AFDI at the level close to the commonly applied indexes.

Purpose: to determine informative indicators for in-group and intra-group control of 14-15 years age girls’ motor fitness. Material: in the research 99 girls participted: 14 years old (n=38), 15 years old (n=61). Results: for control of 15 years age girls’ motor fitness the most informative are indicators of speed power, dynamic power endurance and physical condition. It was found that 14 years age girls have better power fitness than 15 years girls. It points at the fact that in 15 years’ age the reasons of lagging behind 14 years girls are increase of body mass and reduction of motor activity. Conclusions: the received data show that factorial analysis as well as discriminant one is methodological base for determination of tests’ in-group and intra-group informational potential. The most informative tests for determination of age dynamic are static and dynamic power endurance of abdomen muscles and connected with them result of long jumps from the spot.

In the present world sport and exercise should be well-matched with the surroundings and public healthiness. This study aims to examine whether urban-rural environment have any impact on motor fitness components of footballers as well as sedentary boys of the age group 14 to 16 years. The sample consisted of 60 football players (30 urban and 30 rural) and 160 sedentary boys (80 urban and 80 rural). The parameters included height, weight, body surface area (BSA) and body mass Index (BMI), agility, flexibility, leg muscle power (LMP), speed, hand grip strength (HGS). Standard techniques and procedures were followed for all the tests. Results were expressed as mean ± SD and independent samples T test was conducted to compare between the groups. Results of the study revealed that agility, flexibility, LMP, speed and HGS were significantly higher in rural boys including both of footballer (p

The aim of this study was to examine the association between motor fitness (MF) and obesity status in preschool children. The sample comprised 467 children aged 3–6 years. Preschool children body mass index was classified according to International Obesity Task Force and categorised into three levels, normal, overweight and obesity. Total physical activity was assessed by accelerometer and MF test was assessed through two MF tests 10 × 5m shuttle run test (SRT) and a 7 m jumping distance on 2 feet test (J2F). Low MF was considered for MF if SD above 1. A single variable with three categories was created: low MF medium MF and high MF. The prevalence of normal weight, overweight and obesity was 67.6%, 22.7% and 9.7%, respectively. The prevalence of SD > 1 for SRT was 13.7% and 14.4% for J2F, for single variable was 19.2%. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that obese preschoolers were more likely six times classified as having low MF level than their non-overweight counterparts (OR: 6.4; IC: 1.3–36.6). This study showed a considerable prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschoolers. Obesity has already been associated with lower MF. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm this data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Physical activity is one of the key determinants of physical, mental, and social health of children and adolescents. Therefore, the early development of health-relevant behavior patterns is of high relevance. Aim: To examine the impact of selected socioeconomic factors as well as media consumption, on sports activities and the motor skills of 10- to 14-year-old secondary school students. Methods: Body height and body weight were measured. The motor skills were determined with the Deutschen Motorik Test (DMT 6-18; German Motor Test). Information about media use, media equipment, recreational sports activities, migration status, and the parents' profession was collected by means of a standardized questionnaire. Results: A total of 391 adolescents have been tested (male 235; female 156). Body mass index (BMI) types are evenly distributed on gender. On a weekday, the pupils spend 10.3 h using media (SD ± 9.1 h). On weekends, media use increases up to 12 h per day on average (SD ± 9.7 h). The number of available media is independent from the age of the respondents and the social status of their families. According to bivariate correlations, heavy media use, a high BMI as well as migration status correlate negatively with both sports activities and motor skills. BMI seems to have the strongest influence on athletic performance (b = 0.41). Conclusion: Media use is an important determinant of juvenile sports activity and motor performance, being part of a complex juvenile leisure behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past decade, there has emerged a vast research literature dealing with attempts to harness brain plasticity in older adults, with a view to improving cognitive function. Since cognitive training (CT) has shown restricted utility in this regard, attention has increasingly turned to interventions that use adjunct procedures such as motor training or physical activity (PA). As evidence builds that these have some efficacy, it becomes necessary to ensure that the outcome measures being used to infer causal influence upon cognitive function are subjected to appropriate critical appraisal. It has been highlighted previously that the choice of specific tasks used to demonstrate transfer to the cognitive domain is of critical importance. In the context of most intervention studies, standardized tests and batteries of cognitive function are de rigueur. The argument presented here is that the latent constructs to which these tests relate are not usually subject to a sufficient level of analytic scrutiny. We present the historical origins of some exemplar tests, and give particular consideration to the limits on explanatory scope that are implied by their composition and the nature of their deployment. In addition to surveying the validity of these tests when used to appraise intervention-related changes in cognitive function, we also consider their neurophysiological correlates. In particular, we argue that the broadly distributed brain activity associated with the performance of many tests of cognitive function, extending to the classical motor networks, permits the impact of interventions based on motor training or PA to be better understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To investigate whether athletes who engage in different modes of sports training correspondingly exhibit different patterns of performance on general cognition tasks. Methods Sixty participants were recruited into an endurance, motorically complex, or control group, and were administered a series of physical tests and neuropsychological assessments. Results Athletes in the endurance group demonstrated the highest levels of cardiovascular fitness and those in the motorically complex group exhibited the highest levels of motor fitness. Nonetheless, no differences in cognitive performance were observed between the 3 groups. Conclusion These findings indicate that the mode of sport training, which results in either high cardiovascular or high motor fitness, bears no relationship to measures of general cognition in elite athletes. The present findings suggest that coaches and athletic trainers should be encouraged to monitor athletes' stress levels during training in order to maximize the beneficial effects of such training on general cognitive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to build a model for classification of motor and functional fitness in adolescent female students. To achieve this purpose, girls in 7th (n=31), 8th (n=26), and 9th grade (n=28) were recruited with appropriate parental consent. To build the classification model, each adolescent performed and number of motor tests and the Stange, Genchi, Serkin tests of functional state. Canonical discriminant function analyses were conducted to determine the motor and functional fitness contributions. Two significant functions (p<.001) resulted with the first function explaining 86.8% and the second 13.2% of the variance between grade levels. Based on the model, it was possible to classify girls' grade and thus biological age based on the performed tests. Structural coefficients from the first canonical discriminant function pointed to substantial difference between girls in 7th grade compared to 8th and 9th grade at the end of motor coordination's development as well as speed, power, and Stange's test results. Structural coefficients of second canonical discriminant function pointed to substantial difference between girls in 8th and 9th grade based on static and relative arm muscle strength. For improving and fully developing the pedagogic control of girls' motor and functional fitness, the first discriminant function should be used as it explained most of the grade differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The features of indicators of strength abilities of students of basic medical group are shown. The study involved 800 women aged 17-20 years, who were divided into age groups of 200 students. Established positive momentum indicators test dynamometry right and left hand, postural strength, forearm flexors right and left hands, extensor thighs and shins. Revealed results of a comprehensive development of maximum force to 12-point scale of the sigmoid in the age aspect. Notes are not identical levels of development. Comprehensive assessment "satisfactory" to be in the range 56-67,5% in all age groups of girls. The estimate of "excellent" is not fixed. It is necessary to pay attention to when planning the means and methods of force directions in physical education.

The aim of the study is to build a standard sample for body type specific for the students of teacher preparation institute in Mosul city and knowing the dominant body type of the students .the sample chosen according to the stage age . and studying the relation between the components of body type and elements of motor fitness and determination the ratio of roles of body type in motor fitness. The population of the study are students of teacher preparation institute at the years (2009-2010)which are 275 students . the sample were chosen randomly from the five stages which are 150 students .to obtain body type the researcher choose some body anthropometry measurements. To determine the level of motor fitness the researcher choose the following tests (standing broad jump, 30-meter sprint,5 kg medical ball put from standing on one foot ,ball put and uptake, numerical circles, ramp tie fbeugen, zigzag running 7×2. to obtain the results the researcher use the following statistical aids(mean, standard deviation , person correlation variable, chi square zigzag slope analysis) by using the statistical program (SPSS). There are several conclusions from this research, the most important conclusion is quantitative determination for body type components of the students of the institute in general. which represent muscular equilibrium according to the study stages in which represent muscular equilibrium according to the mesomorph pattern is the dominant. There are variation in body type repetition in which the mesomorph pattern is the dominant and differ from the other patterns which are ordered as(ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph).There is inverse relation between the explosive strength of legs and transitional speed as the endomorph pattern in crease. There are no relations between explosive strength of arms, coordination, equilibrium, elasticity, fitness and endomorph pattern.

Introduction: This is an empirical article aiming at defining the changes of motor fitness in children practicing swimming at early stage of training in year-long training cycle. Proper selection of candidates to practice certain sports is a very complex process. One needs to select from the very large population of children, girls and boys, characterized by certain features, including somatic and motor features, which developed in a longstanding process of training, will lead them to become champions. The purpose of the research: The purpose of the research was to define the changes of motor fitness in girls’ practicing swimming at early stage of training in year-long training cycle. Material and Methods: The subjects to the research were 85 girls aged 7 (1st year of primary school), including 36 girls in swimming group and 49 girls in control group. 36 of them belonged to swimmers’ group- all girls were members of the Municipal Swimming Club in Szczecin. Control group consisted of 49 girls, who attended the same elementary schools. The examinations were carried out twice in the 2009-2010 academic year. The most reliable and accurate indirect test- EUROFIT Test Battery-was used. Results : The research revealed changes in both groups (Sw, C) in terms of all eight tests. Examination II proved statistically significant improvement of results in both groups (Sw, C) in comparison to Examination I. The dynamics of changes in general balance, flexibility, static force, functional force, running agility, was bigger in the girls who practiced swimming. As the speed of movement of upper limb, explosive force and thorax force are concerned; the differences of results in both examinations were similar in both groups (swimming group and control group). Progressive changes in motor fitness of the examined groups are a positive phenomenon in the development of child’s young organism. Conclusions: Swimming training significantly affected the dynamics of changes in motor fitness of girls at early stage of training, compared with control group (non-swimmers). Regular participation in sports activities (including swimming) positively affects the development of child’s motor (physical) fitness.

Purpose: to determine structural model of in-group dynamic of 6-10 years old boys’ motor fitness. Material: in the research 6 years old boys (n=48), 7 years old (n=45), 8 years old (n=60), 9 years’ age (n=47) and10 years’ age (n=40) participated. We carried out analysis of factorial model of schoolchildren’s motor fitness. Results: we received information for taking decisions in monitoring of physical education. This information is also necessary for working out of effective programs of children’s and adolescents’ physical training. We determined model of motor fitness and specified informative tests for pedagogic control in every age group. In factorial model of boys’ motor fitness the following factor is the most significant: for 6 years - complex development of motor skills; for 7 years - also complex development of motor skills; for 8 years - strength and coordination; for 9 years - complex development of motor skills; for 10 years - complex development of motor skills. Conclusions: In factorial model of 6-10 years old boys’ motor fitness the most significant are backbone and shoulder joints’ mobility, complex manifestation of motor skills, motor coordination. The most informative tests for assessment of different age boys’ motor fitness have been determined.

Objectives: In childhood (>6 years-old) and adolescence, fitness testing is feasible, reliable and related to later health. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and reliability of a field-based fitness-test battery in preschool children.Design: Repeated measures.Methods: A total of 161 preschoolers aged 3 to 5 years participated in the study. Anthropometry, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength and motor fitness were tested twice (2 weeks apart) using weight, height, waist circumference, PREFIT 20m shuttle run, handgrip strength, standing long jump, 4×10m shuttle run and one-leg stance tests, respectively.Results: The main results indicated that all tests are feasible and highly reliable (mean differences, weight=0.04kg, height=0.22cm, waist circumference=-0.08cm, PREFIT 20m shuttle run=2.00 laps, handgrip strength=-0.24kg and 4×10m shuttle run=0.12s), in preschool children, except for the standing long jump test and one-leg stance test (mean differences of -7.31cm and 8.01s). After some methodological adaptations, reliability for standing long jump was improved in a replication study (i.e. from -7 to -2cm). We observed evidence of heteroscedasticity in the 4×10m shuttle run and one-leg stance tests.Conclusions: The PREFIT battery is a feasible and reliable tool to assess physical fitness in preschool children yet standing long jump has shown mixed findings and requires further studies. The one-leg stance test showed poor reliability in our study and if confirmed by future studies, its use in 3 to 5 years-old would not be recommended. Future studies should consider the mean differences provide in this study to explain the changes in test performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: North–south differences in the prevalence of obesity and fitness levels have been found in European adolescents, yet it is unknown if such differences already exist in very young children. Objectives: This study aims to compare the prevalence of overweight/obesity and fitness levels in preschool children aged 4 years from Sweden (north of Europe) and Spain (south of Europe). Methods: The sample consisted of 315 Swedish and 128 Spanish preschoolers. Anthropometry (weight, height, waist circumference) and fitness (strength, speed–agility, balance and cardiorespiratory fitness) were assessed. Analysis of covariance adjusted for age, sex and height/body mass index (BMI) was used. Results: Preschool children from Sweden had lower prevalence of overweight/obesity than their peers from Spain (World Obesity Federation, mean difference, MD = −9%, P = 0.010; World Health Organization, MD = −11%, P = 0.011). Concerning fitness, preschoolers from Spain were more fit in terms of upper‐muscular strength (MD = +0.4 kg, P = 0.010), speed–agility (MD = −1.9 s, P = 0.001), balance (MD = +4.0 s, P = 0.001) and cardiorespiratory fitness (MD = boys = +6.6 laps, girls = +2.3 laps; P < 0.001 for all), yet they had worse lower‐muscular strength (MD = −7.1, P ≤ 0.001) than those from Sweden. Differences in upper‐muscular strength were largely explained by differences in BMI, and differences in cardiorespiratory fitness should be interpreted cautiously due to some methodological deviations. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity in Spain compared with Sweden is present already at early childhood, while differences in physical fitness components showed mixed findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to establish the relationship between kinanthropometry and motor fitness and kho-kho playing abilities. One hundred and forty five women players were selected from the students of Pondicherry University during the South Zone kho-kho tournament. Playing ability was measured with the help of three kho-kho experts; kinanthopometric measurements such as height, weight, leg length and arm length were measured with the help of the ISAK guideline manual; and among motor fitness abilities, agility was measured by 40-m shuttle run, leg explosive power by standing broad jump, flexibility by sit and reach test, and muscular endurance was measured by knee bent sit-up test. The kho-kho playing ability was assessed by three well qualified and experienced experts. There were high correlations existing between playing abilities with Agility (r = 0.63), Explosive leg Power (r = 0.59), Muscular endurance (r = 0.39). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical fitness is a powerful marker of health in youth. Studies in adolescents and adults suggest that higher fat mass is related to worse physical fitness. However, there is limited knowledge whether fat mass and fat-free mass are associated with physical fitness already in preschoolers. Baseline data from the MINISTOP (Mobile-based INtervention Intended to STop Obesity in Preschoolers) trial was utilized for this cross-sectional analysis. Body composition was assessed using air-displacement plethysmography. Fat mass index [fat mass (kg)/height² (m)] and fat-free mass index [fat-free mass (kg)/height² (m)] were used to provide height-adjusted measures of body composition. Physical fitness was measured using the PREFIT (FITness testing in PREschool children) battery, which assesses cardiorespiratory fitness, upper-body and lower-body muscular strength as well as motor fitness. In total, this study included 303 children (168 boys and 135 girls), who were on average 4.48 ± 0.15 years old. Higher fat mass index was associated with worse cardiorespiratory fitness (standardized β = -0.17, p = 0.002), lower-body muscular strength (β = -0.17, p = 0.003) and motor fitness (β = --0.21, p < 0.001) in regression analyses adjusted for age, sex and mutually adjusted for fat-mass index and fat-free mass index. Conversely, higher fat-free mass index was associated with better cardiorespiratory fitness (β = 0.18, p = 0.002), upper-body muscular strength (β = 0.39, p < 0.001), lower-body muscular strength (β = 0.22, p < 0.001) and motor fitness (β = 0.17, p = 0.004). Thus, fat mass and fat-free mass in preschoolers appear to have joint but opposite associations with physical fitness, an important marker for current and future health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular activity has been shown to be positively associated with grey and white matter volume of, amongst others, frontal and temporal brain regions in older adults. This is particularly true for the hippocampus, a brain structure that plays an important role in learning and memory, and whose decline has been related to the development of Alzheimer´s disease. In the current study, we were interested in whether not only cardiovascular activity but also other types of physical activity, i.e., coordination training, were also positively associated with the volume of the hippocampus in older adults. For this purpose we first collected cross-sectional data on metabolic fitness (cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength) and motor fitness (e.g, balance, movement speed, fine coordination). Second, we performed a 12-month randomized controlled trial. Results revealed that motor fitness but not metabolic fitness was associated with hippocampal volume. After the 12-month intervention period, both, cardiovascular and coordination training led to increases in hippocampal volume. Our findings suggest that a high motor fitness level as well as different types of physical activity were beneficial to diminish age-related hippocampal volume shrinkage or even increase hippocampal volume.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine differences in the level of motor abilities of 7-9-year-old girls and boys in relation to the socioeconomic status of their families . Material and Methods: The research was conducted in 12 primary schools in two regions of Poland namely of Warmia & Mazury and Pomorskie voivodeship, on the total of 1205 pupils (584 boys and 621 girls) aged 7-9. Selected economic factors such as the type of school (public or private), monthly income per household member, and the number of children in a given family were accepted as the independent variables. The factors behind social status included the place of residence and parents’ educational background. In order to determine the level of motor abilities, 13 motor tests were applied. Results: The research revealed that motor tests such as 1 and 3 min. Burpee test and medicine ball throws (forward and backward) appeared to show the biggest differences in the level of motor abilities of the children whose social and economic status varied. The results of these tests as well as those of the shuttle run were significantly higher for the girls from the families of high social status than for the boys of low social status. Social status to a greater extent than economic one differentiated the tested motor abilities, especially in the case of the girls from families marked by high social status, who scored better than boys. The exception is the skipping with clapping of hands – 8 s trial, which differentiated only the tested categories of economic status, especially when referred to the girls. Conclusions: Owing to the small number of significant differences between high and low social and economic status in both sex groups in the motor tests applied, it can be assumed that in the less developed, agriculture and tourism-oriented areas there has occurred blurring of the differences in the level of children’s motor abilities depending on their social and economic status.

The aim of the research was to establish the motor efficiency of boys between the ages of 7 and 10 years, attending Grades 1-4 of music oriented and general education classes. The research material included 106 boys aged 7-10 of the Primary School Complex No. 2 in Szczecin. There were 50 children examined in the music oriented classes, and 56 in control group. The research was conducted twice in the school year 2006/2007, including the same research material – first in September 2006, second in June 2007 accordingly. To evaluate the level of motor skills the EUROFIT European Fitness Test was used. Test results were statistically analyzed. The Utenberger’s test resulted in statistically significant better results of boys from the Grade 1 of control group (C) compared to their peers from Grade 1 of music oriented classes. In research II, only boys of Grades 1-2 M had statistically significant results improvement in the Utenberger’s test in comparison with research I. In research II, male students of Grades 1, 2, 3 M acquired statistically significant better results in the speed test of the upper limb than their peers of Grades 1 C, 2 C, 4 C. Moreover, in study II the subjected individuals of Grades 1 M, 2 M, 4 M and 4 C obtained statistically significant increase in their results in comparison with study I.Trunk flexibility of male students from music-oriented classes and control group was in line; the same was true for the jump test. In study II, trunk flexibility and endurance in jumping insignificantly improved in all examined classes. In the study, boys from Grade 4 M, obtained statistically more significant average hand strength results compared to their peers from Grade 4 C. In study II, boys from Grades 1 and 2 M obtained statistically significantly lower average values in this test in comparison with boys from Grades 1 and 2 C. In study II, unlike in study 1, there was a statistically significant improvement in the test results only in boys from Grades 3 and 4 M. In contrary, there was a statistically significant improvement of hand strength results in all grades of control groups compared to study I. In trunk flexibility test, boys from Grade 1 M had statistically lower mean values than boys from Grade 1 C. In the same study, boys from grades 3 and 4 M had statistically significantly higher average values than their peers from Grades 3 and 4 C. In study II, statistically significant differences were found between Grades 3 M and 3 P as well as between 4 M and 4 P. In study II, in Grades 1 C and 2 M, there was a statistically significant results improvement compared to study I. Functional capacity of boys from all subjected classes was similar in both studies. In study II, statistically significant improvement in this test was found only in Grade 2 M. In agility fitness test, in study II, boys from Grade 4 M had statistically significantly better results opposed to Grade 4 C. It turned out that boys from grades 1 M, 2 M, and 3 C, had statistically significant results improvement in study II compared to study I. Based on the conducted studies, the following conclusions have been formulated: 1. Motor efficiency of boys from music-oriented as well as control classes was comparable. 2. Practicing musical instruments at the early education stage did not have any significant influence on the general motor efficiency of male pupils. 3. As part of preventive measures of degenerative overload changes of the motor system in music-oriented classes, the national curriculum program of study for PE should be modified and supplemented with exercises strengthening trunk muscles and increasing the range of motion in the shoulder and pelvic girdles.

Integrating physical activity interventions at the workplace can have positive effects on the employees' health. This study aimed to evaluate a physical activity break with coordinative exercises (PAB) including juggling and balance tasks and to assess its effects on motor abilities. Thirty-two university employees were randomly allocated to an intervention (IG:20) or a control (CG:12) group. The IG participated two times per week for 12 weeks in a PAB with a duration of 15 to 20 min. We measured the unimanual, bimanual finger, and hand dexterity with the Purdue Pegboard Test, the reaction time with the Fall Stick Test, and the dynamic balance with the Y Balance Test. Juggling performance was assessed by measuring the time(s) of performing a three-ball-cascade. Furthermore, an evaluation of the PAB was executed. Participants in the IG improved their juggling performance after six and twelve weeks. These increases were significantly different compared to the CG. However, no other parameters changed significantly. The evaluation showed that the PAB was enjoyable and led to subjective improvements in the participants health and working routine. To conclude, PAB can lead to improvements in juggling performance, subjective health, and the working routine.