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Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica 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.)

Copyright of Arquivos de Ciências da Saúde da UNIPAR is the property of Associacao Paranaense de Ensino e Cultura 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.)

Physical fitness is an important health indicator and component of physical literacy. Therefore, monitoring youth fitness performance is crucial for identifying potential health risks and tracking physical literacy development. Over the years, many fitness test batteries have been developed while different protocols for footwear have been used in fitness testing. The comparison of fitness results performed in different footwear could therefore be questioned. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the differences between barefoot and shod performance of selected motor tests in adolescents. Eighty-six adolescents aged between 14 and 16 years performed standing long jump, 20-m shuttle run, and polygon backwards in both footwear conditions. A strong correlation (r=0.83-0.95) was noted between both performances. No significant differences between barefoot and shod performance in the standing long jump and the backward obstacle course test were found, while significant differences were noted in the 20-m shuttle run. In this test, both, boys and girls performed better in shod conditions. Interestingly, there were no significant differences in performance of all tests among those who are habitually barefoot and others. From practical perspective, this study demonstrated that researchers could compare scores of samples in barefoot and shod performance of standing long jump and backward obstacle course tests. However, when physical teachers compare individual scores over the years, this should be made under the same footwear conditions, as differences in test conditions can provide a distorted picture of motor development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemic stroke is the most common cause of adult disability and one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with a serious socio-economic impact. In the present work, we used a new thromboembolic model, recently developed in our lab, to induce focal cerebral ischemic (FCI) stroke in rats without reperfusion. We analyzed selected proteins implicated in the inflammatory response (such as the RNA-binding protein HuR, TNFα, and HSP70) via immunohistochemistry and western blotting techniques. The main goal of the study was to evaluate the beneficial effects of a single administration of minocycline at a low dose (1 mg/kg intravenously administered 10 min after FCI) on the neurons localized in the penumbra area after an ischemic stroke. Furthermore, given the importance of understanding the crosstalk between molecular parameters and motor functions following FCI, motor tests were also performed, such as the Horizontal Runway Elevated test, CatWalk™ XT, and Grip Strength test. Our results indicate that a single administration of a low dose of minocycline increased the viability of neurons and reduced the neurodegeneration caused by ischemia, resulting in a significant reduction in the infarct volume. At the molecular level, minocycline resulted in a reduction in TNFα content coupled with an increase in the levels of both HSP70 and HuR proteins in the penumbra area. Considering that both HSP70 and TNF-α transcripts are targeted by HuR, the obtained results suggest that, following FCI, this RNA-binding protein promotes a protective response by shifting its binding towards HSP70 instead of TNF-α. Most importantly, motor tests showed that reduced inflammation in the brain damaged area after minocycline treatment directly translated into a better motor performance, which is a fundamental outcome when searching for new therapeutic options for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ataxias are a clinically relevant group of neurological diseases characterized by impaired motor coordination that affects both static and dynamic control of body movements. Among the autosomal recessive ataxias there is Marinesco-Sjogren syndrome (MSS). The main clinical signs of MSS are incoordination with cerebellar atrophy, and myopathy associated to hypotonia. Mouse models of MSS (e.g. woozy mouse) closely mimic human pathology and are widely used to study this disease. In fact, the woozy mouse was helpful in understanding that molecular alteration occurs before clinical signs. To data, several motor behavioural tests have been developed including rotarod, beam walking, and grip-strength. Some of these tests were effective to reveal MSS ataxia only at specific stages of the disease. To achieve these results, it is important to apply the most appropriate motor behavioural tests that are able to sensitively assess the specific phenotype. However, the administration of additional motor tests would be useful to better define the coordination and motor problems in MSS. Cognitive tests should also be considered to examine whether the woozy model has mental retardation. In conclusion, motor and cognitive tests are essential for the assessment of disease stage and future therapies in ataxias, including MSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the largest health crises in the world. There are limited pharmaceutical interventions to treat AD, however, and most of the treatment options are not for cure or prevention, but rather to slow down the progression of the disease. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of tactile stimulation (TS) on AD-like symptoms and pathology in APPNL-G-F/NL-G-Fmice, a mouse model of AD. The results show that TS reduces the AD-like symptoms on tests of cognition, motor, and anxiety-like behaviors and these improvements in behavior are associated with reduced AD pathology in APP mice. Thus, TS appears to be a promising noninvasive strategy for slowing the onset of dementia in aging animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of German Journal of Exercise & Sport Research is the property of Springer Nature 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 animal thromboembolic model of ischemia perfectly mimics human ischemic stroke which remains the leading cause of disability and mortality in humans. The development of new treatment strategies was therefore imperative. The purpose of this study is to improve the thromboembolic stroke model in rats in order to design experiments that use motor tests, and are in accordance with the 3R principles to prevent complications and maintain the same size of the infarct repeatedly. Tail vein dye application, a protective skull mask and a stress minimization protocol were used as additional modifications to the animal stroke model. These modifications significantly minimized the pain and stress severity of the procedures in this model. In our experimental group of Long-Evans rats, a photo-induced stroke was caused by the application of a photosensitive dye (Rose Bengal) activated with white-light irradiation, thus eliminating the need to perform a craniotomy. The animals' neurological status was evaluated using a runway elevated test. Histological examination of the brain tissue was performed at 12, 24 and 48 h, and seven days post-stroke. Tissue examination revealed necrotic foci in the cortex and the subcortical regions of the ipsilateral hemisphere in all experimental groups. Changes in the area, width and depth of the necrotic focus were observed over time. All the experimental groups showed motor disturbances after stroke survival. In the proposed model, photochemically-induced stroke caused long-term motor deficits, showed high reproducibility and low mortality rates. Consequently, the animals could participate in motor tests which are particularly suitable for assessing the efficacy of neuro-regenerative therapies, while remaining in line with the latest trends in animal experimental design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Motor Competence Assessment (MCA) is a quantitative test battery that assesses motor competence across the whole lifespan. It is composed of three sub-scales: locomotor, stability, and manipulative, each of them assessed by two different objectively measured tests. The MCA construct validity for children and adolescents, having normative values from 3 to 23 years of age, and the configural invariance between age groups, were recently established. The aim of this study is to expand the MCA's development and validation by defining the best and leanest method to score and classify MCA sub-scales and total score. One thousand participants from 3 to 22 years of age, randomly selected from the Portuguese database on MC, participated in the study. Three different procedures to calculate the sub-scales and total MCA values were tested according to alternative models. Results were compared to the reference method, and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, Cronbach's Alpha, and Bland–Altman statistics were used to describe agreement between the three methods. The analysis showed no substantial differences between the three methods. Reliability values were perfect (0.999 to 1.000) for all models, implying that all the methods were able to classify everyone in the same way. We recommend implementing the most economic and efficient algorithm, i.e., the configural model algorithm, averaging the percentile scores of the two tests to assess each MCA sub-scale and total scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mediterranean Journal of Sport Science (MJSS) is the property of Mediterranean Journal of Sport Science (MJSS) 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.)

Aim: To examine the latent structure of the Test of Gross Motor Development—Third Edition (TGMD-3) with a bifactor modeling approach. In addition, the study examines the dimensionality and model-based reliability of general and specific contributions of the test's subscales and measurement invariance of the TGMD-3. Methods: A convenience sample of (N = 496; Mage = 7.23 ± 2.03 years; 53.8% female) typically developed children participated in this study. Three alternative measurement models were tested: (a) a unidimensional model, (b) a correlated two-factor model, and (c) a bifactor model. Results: The totality of results, including item loadings, goodness-of-fit indexes, and reliability estimates, all supported the bifactor model and strong evidence of a general factor, namely gross motor competence. Additionally, the reliability of subscale scores was poor, and it is thus contended that scoring, reporting, and interpreting of the subscales scores are probably not justifiable. Conclusions: This study shows the advantages of using bifactor approach to examine the TGMD-3 factor structure and suggests that the two traditionally hypothesized factors are better understood as "grouping" factors rather than as representative of latent constructs. In addition, our findings demonstrate that the bifactor model appears invariant for sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the association between developmental coordination disorder (DCD) diagnosed after the age of three and both a standardized motor test—the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS)—and non-standardized observation of movement quality carried out before the age of three. Children at risk or with developmental concerns were studied retrospectively. Children were excluded in case of a diagnosis, excluding DCD, e.g., cerebral palsy, or IQ < 70. Of the 503 included children, 246 were diagnosed with (at-risk) DCD. Multivariate binary logistic regression revealed a significant association between DCD diagnosis after the age of three and male gender and with different aspects of poor movement quality in different age groups before the age three. Univariate analyses revealed an association between DCD diagnosis and the number of poor movement-quality descriptions at 0–6 months, 6–12 months, and 18 months–3 years but not with the AIMS scores. The MABC-2 scores after the age of three were significantly correlated with the number of poor movement-quality descriptions in age groups 0–6 months and 18 months–3 years and with the AIMS scores in age groups 6–12 months and 12–18 months. The results suggest that DCD can be associated with poor movement quality before the age of three. [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 Motor Competence Assessment (MCA) is a quantitative test battery that assesses motor competence across the whole lifespan. It is composed of three sub-scales: locomotor, stability, and manipulative, each of them assessed by two different objectively measured tests. The MCA construct validity for children and adolescents, having normative values from 3 to 23 years of age, and the configural invariance between age groups, were recently established. The aim of this study is to expand the MCA’s development and validation by defining the best and leanest method to score and classify MCA sub-scales and total score. One thousand participants from 3 to 22 years of age, randomly selected from the Portuguese database on MC, participated in the study. Three different procedures to calculate the sub-scales and total MCA values were tested according to alternative models. Results were compared to the reference method, and Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, Cronbach’s Alpha, and Bland–Altman statistics were used to describe agreement between the three methods. The analysis showed no substantial differences between the three methods. Reliability values were perfect (0.999 to 1.000) for all models, implying that all the methods were able to classify everyone in the same way. We recommend implementing the most economic and efficient algorithm, i.e., the configural model algorithm, averaging the percentile scores of the two tests to assess each MCA sub-scale and total scores.

Bu çalışmada, yüksek serbest yağ asidi içeriğine sahip atık tavuk yağı ve atık deri yağından biyomotorin yakıtları üretilmiş ve ortak-hat direkt püskürtmeli bir diesel motorda 2000 d/d sabit motor devrinde ve beş farklı motor yükünde (50, 75, 100, 125 ve 150 Nm) test edilmişlerdir. Biyomotorinlerin motor performans ve yanma karakteristikleri üzerindeki etkileri referans yakıt olan petrol türevi diesel yakıtı (motorin) ile karşılaştırılmalı olarak incelenmiştir. Motorine kıyasla; biyomotorin yakıtların fren özgül yakıt tüketimleri daha yüksek, termik verimleri ise daha düşük olmuştur. Performans karakteristikleri arasındaki farklar motor yükü ile daha belirgin bir hal almıştır. Pilot püskürtmede motorin ile tüm motor yüklerinde daha yüksek basınç değerlerine ulaşılırken, 125 ve 150 Nm yük şartlarında ana püskürtmede biyomotorinler ile daha yüksek basınçlar elde edilmiştir. Silindir içi basıncı ve ısı yayılım oranları arasındaki en kritik fark 125 Nm’de görülmüştür. Tutuşma gecikmesi süreleri motor yükü ile farklılıklar göstermiş; fakat tüm yakıtlar için genellikle motor yükü ile birlikte artmıştır. Biyomotorin yakıtların yanma süreleri birbirlerine yakınken, tüm motor yüklerinde motorinin yanma süresi daha uzun olmuştur.

Environmentally friendly commercial applications spurred us to screen a suitable ablative throat material for the hybrid rocket, while preserving its cost-effective advantages as a special chemical motor. In this research, two types of carbon fiber reinforced composites, i.e. carbon/carbon (C/C) composite and C f /C–SiC–ZrC composite utilized in high temperature environment, were employed to make the hybrid rocket nozzle. By comparison with the high-density graphite, the anti-ablation properties under the firing environment of Ф100mm H 2 O 2 -polyethylene hybrid rocket motor were characterized. We used whole felt preform to make C/C composite, whose matrix carbon was coming from chemical vapor infiltration of propylene; and the C f /C–SiC–ZrC composite, which employs the same whole felt preform to make the low-density C/C billet, by infiltrated with Si and Zr organic precursors and pyrolysis at elevated temperatures repeatedly to make the advanced ceramic matrix composite. The firing test lasted 40s for all the candidate materials and the result indicated that the C f /C–SiC–ZrC composite, whose average linear ablation rate was only 0.003 mm/s, was the most stable one in the firing environment. The SEM images gave detailed morphologies of those nozzle throat materials and proved that the fiber architecture, together with the glassy ceramic oxide, helped the nozzle to withstand the hybrid motor firing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the association between developmental coordination disorder (DCD) diagnosed after the age of three and both a standardized motor test—the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS)—and non-standardized observation of movement quality carried out before the age of three. Children at risk or with developmental concerns were studied retrospectively. Children were excluded in case of a diagnosis, excluding DCD, e.g., cerebral palsy, or IQ < 70. Of the 503 included children, 246 were diagnosed with (at-risk) DCD. Multivariate binary logistic regression revealed a significant association between DCD diagnosis after the age of three and male gender and with different aspects of poor movement quality in different age groups before the age three. Univariate analyses revealed an association between DCD diagnosis and the number of poor movement-quality descriptions at 0–6 months, 6–12 months, and 18 months–3 years but not with the AIMS scores. The MABC-2 scores after the age of three were significantly correlated with the number of poor movement-quality descriptions in age groups 0–6 months and 18 months–3 years and with the AIMS scores in age groups 6–12 months and 12–18 months. The results suggest that DCD can be associated with poor movement quality before the age of three.

Background: Various field tests can be used to evaluate children's motor skills. Because of the complexity of their motor skills, which at their age are still in a very intensive stage of development, it is inadequate to use the same test protocol as in the adult population, as children receive and process information in a different way. Some evidence showed that familiarization with test protocols is important in children's motor skills evaluation process. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of familiarization on motor test results for the assessment of motor skills in preschool children population. A controlled research study design was conducted. Methods: The sample included 40 children, 20 boys and 20 girls (age 5.89 ± 0.42 years). Subjects underwent two testing sessions with two weeks between the trials, performed 6 motor skills: leg power, flexibility, abdominal muscles endurance, shoulder muscles endurance, agility, and running speed. Before the second testing session, subjects underwent a period of familiarization with motor tasks in 3 sessions, with 3 trials every 3 days. Results: Significantly better results in the second testing session were observed in countermovement jump (with both fixed and free arms), curl-ups, speed and agility test. The present study indicates that children significantly improved the results in the motor test of explosive strength, muscle endurance, speed and agility, being influenced by familiarization. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that familiarization with the test procedures prior to testing affect the results of the motor test, and represent an important part of the evaluation of motor skills of preschool children.

Background: The Movement Assessment Battery for Children Test, 2nd edition (MABC-2 test) is a widely accepted standardized method for the assessment of motor competency and identification of developmental coordination disorder in children. However, there are no information on psychometric qualities of the qualitative part of the test.Objective: To reveal possible limitations of the qualitative assessment of the MABC-2 test tasks of the age band 2 (7-10 years), we examined the inter- and intra-rater reliability and construct (known-groups) validity, specifically for observation of the manual dexterity (MD) tasks. Methods: The MD tasks of the MABC-2 executed by children with and without motor difficulties in manual dexterity (MD- and MD+; N = 6) were recorded by a video camera. A group of investigators (N = 9) performed qualitative observational assessment of children's movements from video recordings, in two observation sessions apart by four weeks (time 1, time 2). Results: The statistical tests rejected the hypothesis on significant inter-rater reliability in the number of marked signs in the MD tasks. Regarding the intra-rater reliability, the number of marked signs in the MD tasks was not significantly different between observation in time 1 and time 2 in all investigators. 95% agreement limits for the number of marked movement signs in the two repeated observations ranged from Mdiff ± 0.73 up to Mdiff ± 2.63 signs. A good construct validity of the qualitative assessment of movements in the MD tasks was indicated by significantly higher number of movement signs marked in the MD- children as compared to the MD+ children, with exception of the graphomotor task. Conclusions: The qualitative assessment within the MABC-2 test is a useful tool for the identification of manual dexterity impairment and weaker aspects of hand-eye coordination. However, the qualitative observational assessment of the MABC-2 tasks demands specific training of users.

Copyright of Kinesiologia Slovenica is the property of Faculty of 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.)

In this paper, we developed a HTPB propellant containing energetic compound hydrated‐tetra‐(‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole) copper perchlorate (ACP) as the fuel for variable thrust motor with the purpose of controlling gas flow. Formulation of the propellant was designed and then various performances of this propellant were investigated. Results show that HTPB propellant containing 2 % ACP has a pressure exponent of 0.57 (static) or 0.56 (dynamic), suggesting an excellent capacity to control the burning rate. Thermal decomposition of ACP and the decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) in high temperature are demonstrated to be sensitive to pressure by PDSC analysis, moreover, decomposition of AP in high temperature (around 400 °C) could be accelerated by ACP, φ 50 mm motors charged with this propellant work stably in the pressure range from 1.18 MPa to 21.72 MPa and less aluminum (Al) deposits in chambers and nozzles. Mechanical performance of the propellant in −40 °C and 20 °C turns out to be excellent with σm≥0.96 MPa and ϵb≥20.92 %, and is better than that in 50 °C. Low impact sensitivity (H50, 72 cm) and friction sensitivity (P, 31 %) of HTPB propellant containing 2 % ACP are found in the security tests, the propellant is also insensitive to shock wave (G50, 23.8 mm). [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.

In this study, biodiesel fuels were produced from waste chicken fat and waste fleshing oil with high free fatty acids, and those were tested in a common rail-DI diesel engine at constant engine speed of 2000 rpm and five different engine loads (50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 Nm). The effects of biodiesel fuels on the engine’s performance and combustion characteristics were investigated in comparison with petroleum-based diesel fuel (PBDF) which was the reference fuel. As compared to PBDF, brake specific fuel consumptions of biodiesels were higher but their thermal efficiencies were lower. The differences between performance characteristics became more pronounced with increasing engine load. In-cylinder pressures which were attained in pilot injection were higher with PBDF at all engine loads, while higher pressures were attained in main injection with biodiesel fuels at 125 and 150 Nm. The most critical differences between in-cylinder pressures and heat release rates were found at 125 Nm. The ignition delays varied with engine load; but for all test fuels it usually increased with engine load. While the combustion durations of biodiesel fuels were close to each other, PBDF’s combustion durations were relatively higher at all engine loads tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various field tests can be used to evaluate children's motor skills. Because of the complexity of their motor skills, which at their age are still in a very intensive stage of development, it is inadequate to use the same test protocol as in the adult population, as children receive and process information in a different way. Some evidence showed that familiarization with test protocols is important in children's motor skills evaluation process. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of familiarization on motor test results for the assessment of motor skills in preschool children population. A controlled research study design was conducted. Methods: The sample included 40 children, 20 boys and 20 girls (age 5.89 ± 0.42 years). Subjects underwent two testing sessions with two weeks between the trials, performed 6 motor skills: leg power, flexibility, abdominal muscles endurance, shoulder muscles endurance, agility, and running speed. Before the second testing session, subjects underwent a period of familiarization with motor tasks in 3 sessions, with 3 trials every 3 days. Results: Significantly better results in the second testing session were observed in countermovement jump (with both fixed and free arms), curl-ups, speed and agility test. The present study indicates that children significantly improved the results in the motor test of explosive strength, muscle endurance, speed and agility, being influenced by familiarization. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that familiarization with the test procedures prior to testing affect the results of the motor test, and represent an important part of the evaluation of motor skills of preschool children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Movement Assessment Battery for Children Test, 2nd edition (MABC-2 test) is a widely accepted standardized method for the assessment of motor competency and identification of developmental coordination disorder in children. However, there are no information on psychometric qualities of the qualitative part of the test. Objective: To reveal possible limitations of the qualitative assessment of the MABC-2 test tasks of the age band 2 (7-10 years), we examined the inter- and intra-rater reliability and construct (known-groups) validity, specifically for observation of the manual dexterity (MD) tasks. Methods: The MD tasks of the MABC-2 executed by children with and without motor difficulties in manual dexterity (MD- and MD+; N = 6) were recorded by a video camera. A group of investigators (N = 9) performed qualitative observational assessment of children's movements from video recordings, in two observation sessions apart by four weeks (time 1, time 2). Results: The statistical tests rejected the hypothesis on significant inter-rater reliability in the number of marked signs in the MD tasks. Regarding the intra-rater reliability, the number of marked signs in the MD tasks was not significantly different between observation in time 1 and time 2 in all investigators. 95% agreement limits for the number of marked movement signs in the two repeated observations ranged from Mdiff ± 0.73 up to Mdiff ± 2.63 signs. A good construct validity of the qualitative assessment of movements in the MD tasks was indicated by significantly higher number of movement signs marked in the MD- children as compared to the MD+ children, with exception of the graphomotor task. Conclusions: The qualitative assessment within the MABC-2 test is a useful tool for the identification of manual dexterity impairment and weaker aspects of hand-eye coordination. However, the qualitative observational assessment of the MABC-2 tasks demands specific training of users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to measure the development of physical fitness (PF) of 10 different cohorts in grade 4 and 8 different cohorts in grade 7 at 18 sport schools of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. A total of 11,451 subjects (3979 female, 7472 male) aged 8–12 from the past 10 years were assessed using the German Motor Test (DMT) in grade 4. We tested 2614 subjects (1032 girls, 1582 boys) aged 11–15 from the past eight years using the DMT in grade 7. PF talents were defined as the top 10 boys and top 10 girls of each cohort. Linear regression was calculated to assess the development of PF. The PF of all subjects remained stable in grade 4 and declined in grade 7. The PF of the top 10 boys and top 10 girls increased in both grades. The improvements were stronger in grade 7 (female: rates of change (β) = 0.80; male: β = 0.76) than in grade 4 (female: β = 0.36; male: β = 0.32). Sit-ups and push-ups showed the highest change rates. The increase in PF of the top 10 boys and girls can be interpreted as a success for sport schools. Due to the increasing number of test participants, the likelihood of finding top talent increased. However, the increase in PF in the top talents was only partly explained by an increase in the number of tested individuals.

Despite its established neuroprotective effect on dopaminergic neurons and encouraging phase I results, intraputaminal GDNF administration failed to demonstrate significant clinical benefits in Parkinson's disease patients. Different human GDNF doses were delivered in the striatum of rats with a progressive 6-hydroxydopamine lesion using a sensitive doxycycline-regulated AAV vector. GDNF treatment was applied either continuously or intermittently (2 weeks on/2 weeks off) during 17 weeks. Stable reduction of motor impairments as well as increased number of dopaminergic neurons and striatal innervation were obtained with a GDNF dose equivalent to 3- and 10-fold the rat endogenous level. In contrast, a 20-fold increased GDNF level only temporarily provided motor benefits and neurons were not spared. Strikingly, oxidized DNA in the substantia nigra increased by 50% with 20-fold, but not 3-fold GDNF treatment. In addition, only low-dose GDNF allowed to preserve dopaminergic neuron cell size. Finally, aberrant dopaminergic fiber sprouting was observed with 20-fold GDNF but not at lower doses. Intermittent 20-fold GDNF treatment allowed to avoid toxicity and spare dopaminergic neurons but did not restore their cell size. Our data suggest that maintaining GDNF concentration under a threshold generating oxidative stress is a pre-requisite to obtain significant symptomatic relief and neuroprotection., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2023 The Author(s).)

The purpose of this study was to verify the association between functional fitness (FF) and excessive fatness (EF) in aged women. Three hundred ninety four women, averaged 69.4 years of age (DP = 3.4 years), participated in the study. FF was measured by means of a battery of motor tests. EF was determined by corporal mass and height measurements. FF was compared with AAHPERD normative values. Chi-square test (p < .05) was applied in order to verify an association between FF and EF. EF prevalence was 46.5% and there was an association (p < .05) between the index of functional aptitude (IAFG) and EF. Among those with EF, 87.8% presented a weak IAFG. EF was associated with a 5.07 (IC 95% = 3.12 – 7.14) times greater chance of lower FF. Results point to the conclusion that morphologic condition (EF) needs to be considered in evaluating FF in aged women.

The purpose of the present study is to make analysis and assessment of the physical development and the specific workability of "September 97" girls team from Sofia. The present study has been made during March-June 2015. Subject of the study is the physical development and the specific workability of 14 years old girl basketball players. Contingent of the study is 10 girl basketball players born in 2001-2003 from "Septemvri 97" basketball club-Sofia taking part in the State championship of the Bulgarian basketball federation. For the needs of the study a testing has been made of all competitors from the team according to 25 indicators bearing information about the basic signs for the physical development and the specific basketball workability. The results fivm the study have been subjected to mathematical-statistical processing by analysis of variance and sigma method of assessment. The totality we have studied is homogeneous in relation to the height, stretch, special speed for moving along the playground with and without a ball, the speed of the motive reaction, the explosive strength of the lower limbs under coordination, complicated movements in the space and the speed endurance. Great individual differences are observed in relation of the basketball players to work with the ball at site and at high speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The present study investigated the dimensionality and homogeneity of motor competence, which is defined as the ability that underlies the performance of a wide variety of motor skills, in early childhood using a large set of items. Method A total of 1467 children (aged 3–6 years) were measured with the Motor Proficiency Test for 4- to 6-Year-old Children (Motoriktest für vier-bis sechsjährige Kinder [MOT 4-6]), which consists of 17 items. Results Analyses using the Partial Credit Model and mixed Rasch model revealed a one-dimensional structure (CR = 1.964, p CR = .06; P-χ 2 = −.227, p p - χ 2 = .24 ). Due to unordered threshold parameters, five items were excluded. These items have a scoring system that counts the amount of successful trials (0–2). Conclusion The study shows item and person homogeneity within a validated motor score, using 12 items of the MOT 4-6. Thus, it provides evidence of a single latent construct (i.e., motor competence), which underlies the performance of motor skills in early childhood. Furthermore, it shows that counting the number of successful trails may be less suitable as a scoring system in motor competence assessment. Present findings also support the use of validated composite scores in motor assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Anthropometric measurements and the BM1 are taken into account in the process of developing physical fitness tests for children. Aim of Study. The aim of this study was to describe the relationships between the anthropometric characteristics (body mass, body height, length of lower and upper limbs), BMI and speed abilities of preschool boys and girls performing the 8-second skipping with hand clapping (8-s SHC) test. The increase in HR during the test was also determined. Material and Methods. The test involved 60 girls and 57 boys aged 68.2 ±11.33 months (min.-5 6 , max-8 9 ). Their body mass, body height, length of lower and upper limbs and BMI were determined, and their speed abilities were evaluated with a 8-s SHC test. The participants' HR was measured before and after the test, and the exercise-induced increase in HR was calculated. The basic statistics were determined for all evaluated parameters and the coefficients of correlation between anthropometric features, HR, and the number of claps during the test were calculated. Results. Among the analyzed parameters, only body mass and BMI were significantly higher in boys than in girls. Mean HR increased during the 8-s SHC test in both girls and boys (to 149.40 and 152.9 bpm, respectively). The number of claps during the 8-s SK test increased significantly with an increase in the values of anthropometric measurements. Significant correlations between the analyzed parameters were not determined only for BMI and heart rate after the 8-s SK test. Conclusions. Anthropometric characteristics such as body mass, body height, length of lower and upper limbs significantly influenced the speed abilities of kindergarteners performing the 8-s SK test, whereas BMI was not significantly correlated with the results of the test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]