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The purpose of this study was to determine if there was an association between concussion understanding and stakeholder knowledge translation in collegiate sports following the mandate of Rowan's Law in Ontario, Canada. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine concussion knowledge translation within a sport network using social network analysis. A cross-sectional design was used to evaluate 76 collegiate athletes (54 females, 21 males, 1 not identified), aged 20.55 years (SD = 3.4) who completed a survey on sport demographics, concussion knowledge and stakeholders who provided concussion information during the sport season. Athlete concussion knowledge scores and reported stakeholders were examined. An average of three key stakeholders provided concussion information to 82% of the varsity athletes in our study. Athletes reported that a coach or athletic trainer most often provided concussion knowledge. Overall, athlete concussion knowledge scores were the same for athletes who sought concussion knowledge from stakeholders and those who did not. Over 95% of athletes in the study did not access the Rowan's Law website for mandated concussion education. These findings suggest that Rowan's Law is hugely neglected resulting in stakeholder knowledge translation having minimal influence on an athletes' understanding of concussions. Future recommendations include verified review of mandated concussion education resources and testing of concussion knowledge for all persons associated with sport in Ontario. Due to the number of athletes seeking concussion knowledge in their varsity athlete network, accurate sport specific resources should be provided to support stakeholders who are in direct contact with athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study the authors examine the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the Repeat Ice Skating Test (RIST). This was an on-ice field anaerobic test that measured average peak power and was validated with 3 anaerobic lab tests: (a) vertical jump, (b) the Margaria-Kalamen stair test, and (c) the Wingate Anaerobic Test. The participants (n = 14) were 11- to 12-year-old males selected from a Peewee "A" level ice hockey team (Thunder Bay, Canada). The results of the test-retest reliability estimation showed that the RIST was a reliable test at measuring average peak power in watts (R = 0.99, C.I.95% = 0.97 to 0.99) and watts per kilogram (R = 0.98, C.I.[subscript 95%] = 0.94 to 0.99). The RIST was also a valid test when correlated with the 3 anaerobic lab tests for measuring peak power in watts: vertical jump (r = 0.86, C.I.[subscript 95%] = 0.72 to 0.94), Margaria-Kalamen stair test (r = 0.66, C.I.[subscript 95%] = 0.39 to 0.83) and Wingate Anaerobic Test (r = 0.86, C.I.[subscript 95%] = 0.72 to 0.93). The test is considered promising because it does not require any specific equipment, and is a sport-specific, on-ice test, that can be administered during a regular ice hockey practice session. (Contains 1 figure, 1 footnote and 2 tables.)

The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to assess how cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) of children with probable developmental coordination disorder (DCD) changes over a period of 4.7 years relative to a group of typically developing controls. A school-based sample of children in a large region of Ontario, Canada with 75 out of a possible 92 schools consented to participate. Children enrolled in Grade 4 (mean = 9.9 years, SD = 0.35) at baseline (n = 2278) were followed over the course of 56 months. A total of eight waves of data collection were carried out throughout the study period. The short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency was used to identify children with probable DCD and the maximal speed attained on the Leger 20-m shuttle run to measure CRF. Mixed-effects modeling was used to estimate the change over time in maximal Leger run speed for both groups adjusting for relevant covariates (e.g., gender, BMI, school, activity level, predilection for activity). Children with pDCD had consistently lower maximal run speed relative to controls. The trajectories of run speed in children with probable DCD and those without the disorder differed by gender with pDCD females demonstrating the lowest scores over time. Both genders with probable DCD showed a greater rate of decline in CRF over time relative to the controls. In conclusion, the difference in CRF between children with and without probable DCD is substantial, and it tends to increase over time. This adds to the argument suggesting that interventions intended to improve CRF may be appropriate and necessary for children with motor difficulties. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by poor motor skills leading to a significant impairment in activities of daily living. Compared to typically developing children, those with DCD are less fit and physically active, and have increased body fat. This is an important consequence as both sedentary lifestyle and obesity are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. One indicator of cardiovascular health is baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), which is a measure of short term blood pressure (BP) regulation and is partly accomplished through changes in heart rate. Diminished BRS is predictive of future cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to compare BRS in typically developing (TD) adolescents with probable DCD (pDCD) or suspect pDCD (spDCD) adolescents (13-14 years of age). Percentile scores on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition, assessed at two time points were averaged and used to classify participants into the following groups: pDCD [less than or equal] 5th percentile, spDCD greater than 5th percentile and [less than or equal] 16th percentile and TD greater than 16th percentile. Following 15 min of supine rest, 5 min of continuous beat-by-beat blood pressure (Finapres) and R-R interval were recorded (standard ECG). Spectral indices were computed using Fast Fourier Transform with transfer function analysis used to compute BRS in the low frequency region (0.04-0.15 Hz). BRS was compared between groups with an ANOVA and post hoc Bonferroni correction. BRS was reduced in the pDCD compared to the TD groups. In multivariate regression analyses predicting BRS, when pDCD and spDCD were entered as the only variables, pDCD was found to be a significant predictor of BRS (b = -6.74, p = 0.016). However, when sex, VO[subscript 2] peak, and percent body fat (PBF) were entered as covariates, pDCD was no longer a predictor, while PBF approached significance (-0.32, p = 0.056). Therefore, in this sample, BRS was reduced in adolescents with pDCD principally due to increased PBF. (Contains 3 tables.)

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are less likely to enjoy participating in physical education (PE) than children without motor coordination difficulties. However, no studies have attempted to quantify this relationship or examine potentially modifiable mediating variables. Using a large sample (N = 590) of children (aged 9 to 14), we examine differences in the enjoyment of PE classes between children with DCD and those without using a standardized measure. We also examine whether differences in perceived adequacy towards physical activity, body fat and fitness explain why children with DCD score lower on this scale. Of all these measures, perceived adequacy accounts for the largest proportion of the effect of DCD on enjoyment. Interventions aimed at improving enjoyment of PE for children with DCD should target perceptions of their abilities with regard to physical pursuits. (Contains 3 tables and 2 notes.)

OBJECTIVES: To identify key eating behaviours in children and their parents and to determine the associations between these behaviours and measures of body composition in children. METHODS: Data were collected on a sample of 431 peri-adolescent children (12.4 [+ or -] 0.3 years) and their parents from the Niagara Region. Body composition was assessed by trained research assistants. Eating behaviours were assessed using a revised version of the Family Eating and Activity Habits Questionnaire. Principal component analyses were used to identify key eating behaviours among children, mothers and fathers. Linear regression models were used to assess their associations with body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, waist girth, and hip girth measures in children. RESULTS: Emotional/uncontrolled eating and eating by the television in children and their mothers were positively associated with measures of body composition in children. Other eating behaviours that were associated with larger measures of body composition in children included low frequency of eating meals with parents, frequent sweet beverage consumption and snacking and eating 'on-the-go' in children, eating 'on-the-go' in mothers, and emotional eating and eating by the television/late at night in fathers. CONCLUSIONS: The eating behaviours of children and mothers, and to a lesser degree fathers, are important predictors of children's body composition. Public health interventions designed to help mothers and children reduce the frequency of emotional/uncontrolled eating and eating by the television may be effective means of facilitating positive weight outcomes in children. KEY WORDS: Child; parents; behaviour; body composition La traduction du resume se trouve a la fin de l'article. Can j Public Health 2014;105(1):e15-e21. OBJECTIFS : Cerner les principaux comportements alimentaires des enfants et de leurs parents et determiner les associations entre ces comportements et les indicateurs de la composition corporelle des enfants. METHODE : Nos donnees ont ete recueillies aupres d'un echantillon de 431 enfants peri-adolescents (12,4 [+ or -] 0,3 ans) et de leurs parents dans la region de Niagara. La composition corporelle des enfants a ete evaluee par des adjoints de recherche formes. Les comportements alimentaires ont ete evalues a l'aide d'une version revisee de l'outil Family Eating and Activity Habits Questionnaire. Des analyses en composantes principales ont servi a identifier les principaux comportements alimentaires des enfants, des meres et des peres. Nous avons utilise des modeles de regression lineaire pour evaluer les associations entre ces comportements et l'indice de masse corporelle (IMC), le rapport tour de taille/taille, le rapport tour de taille/hanches, le tour de taille et le tour de hanches mesures chez les enfants. RESULTATS : L'alimentation incontrolee ou sous l'effet de l'emotion et l'alimentation devant la television, chez les enfants et leurs meres, etaient des comportements associes positivement avec les indicateurs de la composition corporelle des enfants. Les autres comportements alimentaires associes aux principaux indicateurs de la composition corporelle des enfants etaient, chez les enfants : la faible frequence des repas avec les parents, la consommation frequente de boissons sucrees et de collations et l'alimentation << sur le pouce >>; chez les meres : l'alimentation << sur le pouce >> et l'alimentation sous l'effet de l'emotion; et chez les peres : l'alimentation devant la television ou tard le soir. CONCLUSIONS : Les comportements alimentaires des enfants et des meres, et dans une moindre mesure ceux des peres, sont d'importants predicteurs de la composition corporelle des enfants. Les interventions de sante publique concues pour aider les meres et les enfants a reduire la frequence de l'alimentation incontrolee ou sous l'effet de l'emotion et de l'alimentation devant la television pourraient etre efficaces pour donner des resultats positifs en ce qui a trait au poids des enfants. MOTS CLES : enfant; parents; comportement; composition corporelle, The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in Canada is alarmingly high. (1) Both conditions place children at risk for both short- and long-term health complications, including hypertension, type 2 [...]

A study on reasons for children with developmental coordination disorder having lower aerobic fitness levels than children without the disorder is presented. One reason for children performing less well on tests of aerobic endurance is because they do not believe themselves to be as adequate as other children at physically active pursuits.

Abstract Background The current study examined associations between gender, perceived athletic competence, and enjoyment of physical education (PE) class over time in a cohort of children enrolled in grade four (ages 9 or 10) at baseline (n = 2262). Methods We assessed each student 5 times over a period of 2 years. We used mixed effects modeling to examine change over time in enjoyment of PE. Results Enjoyment of PE declined among girls but remained constant among boys. Higher levels of perceived competence were associated with higher PE enjoyment. A 3-way interaction between gender, competence, and time revealed that PE enjoyment was lowest and declined most markedly among girls with low perceived athletic competence. Among boys with low competence, enjoyment remained at a consistently low level. Conclusions Our results indicate that lower perceived athletic competence is associated with low enjoyment of PE, and, among girls, with declining enjoyment. Findings suggest that interventions in a PE context that target perceived competence should be considered in future work.

It is not known whether children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have lower cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) than children without the disorder, or whether this relationship varies by age and gender. These issues are examined using a cross-sectional assessment of children 9-14 years of age (N = 549). Participants were screened for DCD using the short form Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP-SF). A BOTMP-SF age-adjusted standard score at or below the 10th percentile rank on the BOTMP-SF was required to classify a diagnosis for probable DCD. CRF was determined from each participant's predicted peak-aerobic power using the Léger 20-m shuttle-run test. Children with DCD report lower CRF than children without the disorder and are more likely to be in a high-risk group (≤ 20th percentile in peak VO2). Moreover, 70% of boys with DCD scored at or below the 20th percentile in peak VO2. Further research in a laboratory setting should be conducted to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to test whether the activity-deficit experienced by children with probable Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) increases with age. We use a sample of children ages 9 to 14 (N = 581) to examine whether age influences the relationship between DCD and participation in free play and organized activities. Consistent with previous work (Bouffard et al., 1996), we found no evidence to support the hypothesis that children with DCD become more inactive compared to their peers as they age; however, we do discuss the limitations in our sample and how some differences in the level of organized and free play activity are evident among cohorts of different ages. Directions for future research in this area are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although physical activity (PA) has been demonstrated to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, research on the mental health benefits of PA in older adults is limited. Moreover, the psychosocial factors that might mediate or moderate the relationship between PA and depression in this population are largely unexplored. Methods: Using a sample of adults age 65 and older (N = 2736), we examined whether the major components of the stress process model (stress, social support, mastery, self-esteem) and physical health mediate or moderate the relationship between PA and depressive symptoms. Results: Physical health has the single largest effect, accounting for 45% of the effect of PA on depression. The stress process model, with physical health included, accounts for 70% of the relationship between PA and depression. Conclusions: Among older adults with above average levels of perceived mastery, greater physical activity is associated with higher levels of depression. Limitations and directions for further research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of generalized self-efficacy and motivation on the performance of a cohort of school children in the 20-metre shuttle race are studied. The results prove that self-efficacy highly improves the performance by also affecting several indirect factors like the BMI positively.