Association Between Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity and Gross Motor Coordination in Preschool Children

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Silva-Santos ◽  
Amanda Santos ◽  
Michael Duncan ◽  
Susana Vale ◽  
Jorge Mota

Introduction: Adequate gross motor coordination is essential for children participating in age-related physical activities and has an important role in maintaining sufficient physical activity levels during the life course. Aim: To examine the association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and gross motor coordination during sedentary behavior in early childhood (ages 3–6 y). Methods: The sample comprised 209 children aged 3–6 y. Gross motor coordination was assessed according to the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2). The battery to assess gross motor coordination comprised the aiming and catching, and balance components. MVPA was measured by accelerometry worn for 7 consecutive days (Monday to Sunday). Results: Our data indicated that 31.5% of the sample had low, 32.5% medium, and 36.0% high gross motor coordination. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that MVPA was positively associated with gross motor coordination, adjusted for gender and sedentary behavior. Conclusions: Preschoolers with high gross motor coordination spend more time in MVPA. Gross motor coordination development should therefore be a key strategy in childhood interventions aiming to promote physical activity.

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Xu ◽  
Minghui Quan ◽  
Hanbin Zhang ◽  
Chenglin Zhou ◽  
PeiJie Chen

Purpose This study examined the associations of physical activity levels between parents and their pre-school children based on gender and weekday/weekend. Method A total of 247 parent-preschool child triads from Shanghai, China were analyzed. The children had a mean age of 57.5 ± 5.2 months. Both sedentary behavior and physical activity were measured in all participants using an ActiGraph GT3X+ accelerometer over seven consecutive days from Monday through the following Sunday. A multivariate regression model was derived to identify significant relationships between parental and child physical activity according to gender and weekday/weekend. Results There was a significant correlation between mothers’ and girls’ moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and total physical activity (TPA) on weekdays. Fathers’ MPVA levels correlated significantly with those of boys and girls, with paternal influence appearing to be stronger than maternal influence. However, there was not a significant correlation between fathers’ and children’s TPA. TPA levels of both mothers and fathers correlated with those of girls, but not with those of boys. Parental sedentary levels on the weekend correlated significantly with girls’ levels, but not with boys’ levels. Children’s physical activity levels on weekends were influenced more by fathers’ activity levels than by mothers’, while the opposite was observed on weekdays. Conclusion Sedentary behavior and physical activity levels of parents can strongly influence those of their preschool children, with maternal influence stronger during the weekdays and paternal influence stronger on the weekends. Parents’ activity levels influence girls’ levels more strongly than they influence boys’ levels.


Author(s):  
Masashi Kanai ◽  
Kazuhiro P. Izawa ◽  
Hiroki Kubo ◽  
Masafumi Nozoe ◽  
Kyoshi Mase ◽  
...  

There is little evidence on how perceptions of the built environment may influence physical activity among post-stroke patients. This study aimed to explore the associations between perceived built environment attributes and objectively measured physical activity outcomes in community-dwelling ambulatory patients with stroke. This cross-sectional study recruited patients who could walk outside without assistance. We assessed both objectively measured physical activity outcomes such as number of steps and duration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with an accelerometer and the patients’ perceived surrounding built environment with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Environmental Module. Sixty-one patients (67.0 years old) were included. The multiple linear regression analysis showed significant associations of the presence of sidewalks (β = 0.274, p = 0.016) and access to recreational facilities (β = 0.284, p = 0.010) with the number of steps taken (adjusted R2 = 0.33). In contrast, no significant associations were found between perceived built environment attributes and MVPA. These findings may help to suggest an approach to promote appropriate physical activity in patients with stroke depending on their surrounding built environment.


Author(s):  
Wen-Yi Wang ◽  
Yu-Ling Hsieh ◽  
Ming-Chun Hsueh ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Yung Liao

Levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior among adolescents seem to vary within different settings, but few Asian studies have compared physical activity and sedentary activity patterns in adolescents across weekdays/weekends and during-school time/after-school time. This study aimed to provide objectively measured data describing intensity-specific physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns in Taiwanese adolescents. The results were sorted by gender and divided between weekdays/weekends and during-school time/after-school time. A total of 470 Taiwanese students (49.6% boys, ages 12–15 y) were recruited and fitted with GT3X+ accelerometers for seven days. Intensity-specific physical activity, total sedentary time, and sedentary bouts (number and duration ≥30 min) were measured. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to examine the significant differences in physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns between the genders on weekdays/weekends and during school/after-school time. The results show that the adolescents’ overall activity levels were below recommended thresholds, with girls engaging in significantly less moderate to vigorous physical activity, having longer sedentary time, longer time spent in sedentary bouts, and more frequent sedentary bouts than boys. Similar results were observed in physical activities of each intensity as well as sedentary behavior variables, both on weekdays/weekends and during-school/after-school periods. These findings emphasize the importance of developing and implementing approaches to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity, as well as decrease prolonged sedentary time and long sedentary bouts, especially for Taiwanese girls.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley E. Keating ◽  
Helen M. Parker ◽  
Toby G. Pavey ◽  
Michael K. Baker ◽  
Ian D. Caterson ◽  
...  

Objective. Epidemiologic studies suggest an inverse relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and self-reported physical activity levels. However, subjective measurements can be inaccurate and prone to reporter bias. We investigated whether objectively quantified physical activity levels predicted liver fat and VAT in overweight/obese adults.Methods. Habitual physical activity was measured by triaxial accelerometry for four days (n=82). Time spent in sedentary behavior (MET < 1.6) and light (MET 1.6 < 3), moderate (MET 3 < 6), and vigorous (MET 6 < 9) physical activity was quantified. Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy were used to quantify visceral and liver fat. Bivariate correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed.Results. There were no associations between physical activity or sedentary behavior and liver lipid. Sedentary behavior and moderate and vigorous physical activity accounted for just 3% of variance for VAT (p=0.14) and 0.003% for liver fat (p=0.96). Higher levels of VAT were associated with time spent in moderate activity (r=0.294,p=0.007), but there was no association with sedentary behavior. Known risk factors for obesity-related NAFLD accounted for 62% and 40% of variance in VAT and liver fat, respectively (p<0.01).Conclusion. Objectively measured levels of habitual physical activity and sedentary behavior did not influence VAT or liver fat.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiana do S. da Silva Dias de Andrade ◽  
Josy Davidson ◽  
Amélia Miyashiro Nunes dos Santos

Abstract Introduction: Overweight and obese children may have lower motor coordination score than normal-weight children. Objective: To compare gross motor coordination between overweight/obese and normal-weight children and investigate the associated factors with the motor coordination scores. Method: This cross-sectional study involved 169 children of both genders, aged 6-9 years. Children with malformations, bone, muscle, and joint or neurological disorders, and BMI z < -2 were excluded. Gross motor coordination was assessed by the “Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder” (KTK). The associated factors with the motor coordination scores were analyzed by linear regression. Results: The mean scores for balancing backwards (84.2 ± 13.2 vs. 91.0 ± 15.0), hopping over on one foot (127.9 ± 10.1 vs. 132.3 ± 12.1), shifting platforms sidewise (123.5 ± 23.4 vs. 129.8 ± 14.9), as well as the overall motor scores (112.5 ± 14.8 vs. 118.8 ± 11.6) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in overweight/obese children when compared to normal-weight children. The percentage of poor motor scores (< 85) in balancing backwards was higher in overweight/obese children (60.4% vs. 36.4%, p = 0.004) and was similar for jumping sideways (18.8% vs. 9.9%, p = 0.116), as well as for shifting platforms sidewise (6.3% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.070). By multiple linear regression analysis, the variables overweight/obesity and sports practice for less than 2 times/week decreased significantly (p < 0.05) the motor coordination score by -18.7 and -15.6 points, respectively. Conclusion: The overweight/obese children scored lower in the motor coordination tests compared to the normal-weight children. Overweight/obesity and low frequency of physical activity were associated with lower scores of gross motor coordination.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. 811-818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Elane Silva dos Santos ◽  
Sofia Wolker Manta ◽  
Guilherme Pereira Maximiano ◽  
Susana Cararo Confortin ◽  
Tânia Rosane Bertoldo Benedetti ◽  
...  

Background: To examine the level of physical activity and sedentary behavior (SB), measured with accelerometers, in older adults from a city in southern Brazil according to sociodemographic and health characteristics.Methods: The sample consisted of 425 older adults (≥63 y) from the EpiFloripa Aging Study. Light physical activity (LPA), moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and SB were measured with accelerometers over a period of 7 days.Results: The older adults spent two-thirds of the time of use in SB, one-third in LPA, and only 2.1% (95% confidence interval, 1.8–2.2) in MVPA. In the final adjusted model, lower levels of MVPA were observed for women, as well as higher SB and lower LPA and MVPA for those with higher age. There were also trends toward prolonged SB and lower LPA when participants had a higher educational level and toward lower MVPA with higher body mass index.Conclusions: Constant monitoring of physical activity levels and SB using objective measures is recommended and interventions should be directed at the groups most exposed to excessive SB and low levels of MVPA.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia Elizondo-Montemayor ◽  
Christian Silva-Platas ◽  
Alejandro Torres-Quintanilla ◽  
Carlos Rodríguez-López ◽  
Guillermo U. Ruiz-Esparza ◽  
...  

The correlations between irisin levels, physical activity, and anthropometric measurements have been extensively described in adults with considerable controversy, but little evidence about these relationships has been found in children. The objective of this study is to correlate the plasma levels of irisin in underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese children with anthropometric parameters and physical activity levels. A cross-sample of 40 children was divided into the following groups on the basis of body mass index (BMI) percentile. The correlations of plasma irisin levels with physical activity, anthropometric, and metabolic measurements were determined. Plasma irisin levels (ng/mL) were lower for the underweight group (164.2 ± 5.95) than for the normal weight and obese groups (182.8 ± 5.58;p<0.05). Irisin levels correlated positively with BMI percentile (0.387), waist circumference (0.373), and fat-free mass (0.353;p<0.05), but not with body muscle mass (−0.027). After a multiple linear regression analysis, only BMI percentile (0.564;p<0.008) showed a positive correlation with irisin. Our results indicated no association with metabolic parameters. A negative correlation with physical activity was observed. Interrelationships among body components might influence irisin levels in children.


Author(s):  
Masashi Kanai ◽  
Kazuhiro P. Izawa ◽  
Hiroki Kubo ◽  
Masafumi Nozoe ◽  
Kyoshi Mase ◽  
...  

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after stroke tends to vary across studies or across stages of stroke. It is useful to use the health utility score to compare HRQoL across studies. Physical activity after stroke also tends to vary similarly. The purpose of the present study was to determine associations between the health utility score and physical activity outcomes in stroke survivors. This cross-sectional study recruited stroke survivors who could ambulate outside, free of assistance. We assessed the health utility score with the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 3-Level questionnaire. The physical activity outcomes were the number of steps taken and duration of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as measured with an accelerometer. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine whether the physical activity outcomes were independently associated with the health utility score. Fifty patients (age: 68.0 years; 40 men, 10 women) were included. Multiple linear regression analysis showed the health utility score to be significantly associated with the number of steps taken (β = 0.304, p = 0.035) but not with MVPA. This is the first study to examine the association between the health utility score and objectively measured physical activity in stroke survivors. Promoting physical activity especially by increasing the number of steps taken might be a priority goal in improving a patient’s health utility score after stroke.


2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-273
Author(s):  
Ya-Wen Hsu ◽  
Chih-Ping Chou ◽  
Britni R. Belcher ◽  
Selena T. Nguyen-Rodriguez ◽  
Marc J. Weigensberg ◽  
...  

While most studies have focused on investigating the preventive effects of physical activity on metabolic risk, the longitudinal impacts of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on activity levels is poorly understood. This study aims to examine the influence of MetS on initial activity levels and the trajectory of activity levels in Latina and African American female children over 12 months (n = 55, 9 ± 1 years). Metabolic measures, including fat and lean tissue mass by BodPod, fasting glucose, lipids, blood pressure, and waist circumference, were collected at baseline. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary behavior by accelerometry were collected on a quarterly basis. There were no significant differences in either initial activity levels by MetS status (Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity: 33 ± 12 mins/day for MetS, 48 ± 28 mins/day for Non-MetS, p = .12; sedentary behavior: 408 ± 57 mins/day for MetS, 421 ± 72 mins/day for Non-MetS, p = .67). Longitudinal declines in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p = .038) and increases in sedentary behavior (p = .003) were found. Daily sedentary behavior increased by 82.64 more minutes in youth with MetS than in those without over one year (p = .015). This study yields the first evidence of the adverse effect of MetS on sedentary behavior. Targeted intervention strategies to reduce progressive sedentariness evident in minority youth with MetS are warranted.


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 557-566
Author(s):  
Mark Stevens ◽  
Tegan Cruwys

Abstract Background Physical activity tends to decline in older age, despite being key to health and longevity. Previous investigations have focused on demographic and individual factors that predict sustained physical activity. Purpose To examine whether engaging in physical activity in the context of sport or exercise group membership can protect against age-related physical activity decline. Methods Drawn from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, participants were members of sport or exercise groups aged 50 and over (N = 2015) as well as nonmember controls, who were matched at baseline for age, sex, and physical activity levels (N = 1881). Longitudinal mixed effects models were used to assess the effect of sport or exercise group membership on physical activity and longevity across a 14-year follow-up. Results Members of sport or exercise groups experienced an attenuated decline in both moderate and vigorous physical activity over a 14-year follow-up compared to physically active matched controls. Sport or exercise group members were also less likely to have died at follow-up, an effect that was mediated through sustained physical activity. Conclusions Promoting membership in sport and exercise groups may be a beneficial strategy for supporting sustained physical activity and health among older people.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document