Physical fitness of overweight and underweight preschool children from southern Poland

Abstract Background Inhibitory control develops rapidly during the preschool stage, and development of inhibitory control in this period is significant for the healthy growth of the future. However, most studies paid more attention to children and adolescents in recent years, but less focus on preschool children. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the association between the health-related physical fitness and inhibitory control in preschool children. Methods This study was a cross-sectional study, 128 preschool children in Yangpu District of Shanghai were recruited by convenient sampling. The health-related physical fitness T-score (HPFT) was obtained by adding standard scores of six indicators: body mass index, handgrip strength, standing long jump, one-leg balance, 2×10m shuttle run test, and 20m shuttle run test. Inhibitory control was assessed using the flanker task and reflected by reaction time and accuracy. Results A total of 120 preschoolers were included in the final statistical analysis. After adjusting the confounders, HPFT was associated with reaction time (β=-2.49ms, 95%CI: -4.22, -0.75). Similarly, a negative association was observed between one-leg balance and reaction time (β=-12.04ms, 95%CI: -18.94, -5.15), and between 20m shuttle run and reaction time (β=-23.28ms, 95%CI: -37.00, -9.56). Compared with the participants in the lowest tertile, HPFT (β=-158.74, 95%CI: -309.63, -7.84), one-leg balance(β=-267.25ms, 95%CI: -420.71, -113.79) and 20m shuttle run (β=-215.58ms, 95%CI: -374.67, -56.49) were all negatively associated with reaction time of those in the highest tertile. Conclusion In addition, there was a non-linear relationship between HPFT and reaction time (β=-3.46ms,95%CI: -5.39, -1.53) when HPFT > 249. In conclusion, in order to improve the inhibitory control, it’s suggested that HPFT of preschoolers should be at least 249.

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The relationship of physical fitness and motor competence with behavioral and neuroelectric indices of attention in preschool children

10.31236/osf.io/wckqp ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

SHIH-CHUN KAO ◽

Yu-Jung Tsaii ◽

[email protected] ◽

Sara Schmitt ◽

Tsung-Min Hung

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Response Selection ◽

Muscular Endurance ◽

Motor Competence ◽

Controlled Attention ◽

Competence Test ◽

Relationship Of ◽

The Relationship ◽

Electroencephalogram Eeg

The present study examined the associations of physical fitness and motorcompetence with P3 and alpha desynchronization (ERD), two neuroelectric indices ofbrain development underlying controlled attention, in 4-6 year-old preschool children. Allparticipants completed physical fitness and motor competence test batteries and anauditory oddball task while electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. Resultsrevealed that increased muscular power, muscular endurance, physical fitness, andmotor competence were associated better attentional task performance. Analysis onneuroelectric indices showed that muscular endurance was related to increased P3amplitude, while the increases in physical fitness and motor competence wereassociated with greater upper alpha (10-12 Hz) ERD following the stimulus evaluationand response selection. Further, the negative associations of physical fitness and motorcompetence with task response time were mediated by the upper alpha ERD. Thesefindings highlight the importance of early childhood motor competence and physicalfitness, especially muscular endurance, to neurocognitive function.

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Measurement of physical activity and physical fitness in preschool children

TIMS Acta ◽

10.5937/timsact8-5058 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 11-22

Author(s):

Bojan Medjedovic ◽

Nedzad Osmankac ◽

Ivan Dimitric ◽

Marko Pantovic ◽

Nebojsa Nedeljkov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Physical Fitness

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Mini-Basketball Training Program Improves Physical Fitness and Social Communication in Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2020-0007 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 73 (1) ◽

pp. 267-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ke-Long Cai ◽

Jin-Gui Wang ◽

Zhi-Mei Liu ◽

Li-Na Zhu ◽

Xuan Xiong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽

Preschool Children ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Training Program ◽

Social Communication ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Control Group ◽

Physical Fitness Test ◽

Spectrum Disorders

AbstractThis investigation examined the effects of a 12-week mini-basketball training program (MBTP) on physical fitness and social communication in preschool children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The study applied a quasi-experimental design. Fifty-nine preschool children aged 3-6 years with ASD were assigned to either a MBTP group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 29). Participants in the MBTP group received a scheduled mini-basketball training program (5 sessions per week, forty minutes per session) for twelve consecutive weeks, while the control group was instructed to maintain their daily activities. The physical fitness test and the parent-reported Social Responsiveness Scale Second Edition (SRS-2) test were performed before and after the intervention. Results indicated that the 12-week MBTP facilitated performance in the physical fitness test, particularly in speed-agility and muscular strength abilities. Additionally, children in the MBTP group demonstrated improvement in SRS-2 performance in social awareness, social cognition, social communication, and autistic mannerisms, whereas no such changes were found in the control group. It may be concluded that the 12-week MBTP could improve physical fitness and social communication in preschool children with ASD, and thus the use of physical exercise intervention as a therapeutic tool for preschoolers with ASD is recommended.

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