scholarly journals Investigating Motor Competence in Association with Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity in 7- to 11-Year-Old Children

Author(s):  
Anoek Adank ◽  
Dave Van Kann ◽  
Joris Hoeboer ◽  
Sanne De Vries ◽  
Stef Kremers ◽  
...  

Children’s motor competence (MC) has declined in the past decades, while sedentary behavior (SB) has increased. This study examined the association between MC and physical activity (PA) levels among primary schoolchildren. Demographics, body height and weight, MC (Athletic Skills Track) and PA levels (ActiGraph, GT3X+) were assessed among 595 children (291 boys, mean age = 9.2 years, SD = 1.1). MC was standardized into five categories: from very low to very high. PA levels were classified into sedentary behavior (SB), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Mixed model analyses were conducted with PA levels as dependent variables and MC as the independent variable, while adjusting for age, gender, and BMI z-score on the individual level. Additional moderation analyses between covariates and MC and PA levels were also conducted. A negative association between MC and SB (β = -3.17) and a positive association between MC and MVPA (β =1.41) were found. The strength of both associations increased as children expressed lower or higher levels of MC. Increased age and being a girl were significant predictors of higher levels of SB and lower levels of MVPA. Non-overweight children spent significantly more minutes in MVPA compared with overweight children. No moderating effects of BMI, gender, and age were found on the association between MC and PA levels. MC is an important correlate of both SB and MVPA, particularly for children with very high or low MC. Developing and improving children’s MC may contribute to spending less time in SB and more time in MVPA, particularly for high-risk groups, i.e. children with low MC. Moreover, addressing MC development and PA promotion simultaneously might create positive feedback loops for both children’s MC and PA levels.

Author(s):  
Anoek M. Adank ◽  
Dave H. H. Van Kann ◽  
Joris A. A. Hoeboer ◽  
Sanne I. de Vries ◽  
Stef P. J. Kremers ◽  
...  

Children’s motor competence (MC) has declined in the past decades, while sedentary behavior (SB) has increased. This study examined the association between MC and physical activity (PA) levels among primary schoolchildren. Demographics, body height and weight, MC (Athletic Skills Track), and PA levels (ActiGraph, GT3X+) were assessed among 595 children (291 boys, mean age = 9.1 years, SD = 1.1). MC was standardized into five categories: from very low to very high. PA levels were classified into SB, light PA (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Mixed-model analyses were conducted with PA levels as dependent variables and MC as the independent variable, while adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) z-score on the individual level. A negative association between MC and SB and a positive association between MC and MVPA were found. The strength of both associations increased as children expressed lower or higher levels of MC. MC is an important correlate of both SB and MVPA, particularly for children with very high or low MC. Developing and improving children’s MC may contribute to spending less time in SB and more time in MVPA, particularly for high-risk groups, i.e., children with low MC. Moreover, addressing MC development and PA promotion simultaneously might create positive feedback loops for both children’s MC and PA levels.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangli Gu ◽  
Senlin Chen ◽  
Xiaoxia Zhang

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between fundamental motor skills (FMS; including locomotor and object-control skills), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and sedentary behavior among young Hispanic and non-Hispanic children. Using the prospective research design spanning one academic school year, we recruited 671 children (6.96 ± 1.6 years, 46% girls) from four primary schools in North Texas, 300 of whom were Hispanic and 371 non-Hispanic children, with 90% of the Hispanic and 74% of the non-Hispanic children from low-income families. All participants completed the PE Metrics™ FMS assessment and wore Actical accelerometers. Hispanic children demonstrated a lower level of MVPA on school days than their non-Hispanic peers. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, both locomotor and object-control skills significantly predicted school-based MVPA for the non-Hispanic groups, while only object-control skills significantly predicted MVPA for the Hispanic group. For both ethnic groups, locomotor skills significantly predicted school-based sedentary behavior. The findings shed light on future motor competence–based interventions for physical activity promotion and obesity prevention among young Hispanic as well as non-Hispanic children.


2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanesa España-Romero ◽  
Jonathan A. Mitchell ◽  
Marsha Dowda ◽  
Jennifer R. O’Neill ◽  
Russell R. Pate

The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between sedentary behavior and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), measured by accelerometry, with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in 357 preschool children. Linear mixed models were used adjusting for race/ethnicity, parental education, and preschool. Follow-up analyses were performed using quantile regression. Among boys, MVPA was positively associated with BMI z-score (b = 0.080, p = .04) but not with waist circumference; quantile regression showed that MVPA was positively associated with BMI z-score at the 50th percentile (b = 0.097, p < .05). Among girls, no associations were observed between sedentary behavior and MVPA in relation to mean BMI z-score and mean waist circumference. Quantile regression indicated that, among girls at the 90th waist circumference percentile, a positive association was found with sedentary behavior (b = 0.441, p < .05), and a negative association was observed with MVPA (b = −0.599, p < .05); no associations were found with BMI z-score. In conclusion, MVPA was positively associated with BMI z-score among boys, and MVPA was negatively associated and sedentary behavior was positively associated with waist circumference among girls at the 90th percentile.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Q. Ong ◽  
John Bellettiere ◽  
Citlali Alvarado ◽  
Paul Chavez ◽  
Vincent Berardi

Abstract Background Prior research examining the relationship between cannabis use, sedentary behavior, and physical activity has generated conflicting findings, potentially due to biases in the self-reported measures used to assess physical activity. This study aimed to more precisely explore the relationship between cannabis use and sedentary behavior/physical activity using objective measures. Methods Data were obtained from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 2,092 participants (ages 20–59; 48.8% female) had accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior, light physical activity, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Participants were classified as light, moderate, frequent, or non-current cannabis users depending on how often they used cannabis in the previous 30 days. Multivariable linear regression estimated minutes in sedentary behavior/physical activity by cannabis use status. Logistic regression modeled self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in relation to current cannabis use. Results Fully adjusted regression models indicated that current cannabis users’ accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior did not significantly differ from non-current users. Frequent cannabis users engaged in more physical activity than non-current users. Light cannabis users had greater odds of self-reporting physical activity compared to non-current users. Conclusions This study is the first to evaluate the relationship between cannabis use and accelerometer-measured sedentary behavior and physical activity. Such objective measures should be used in other cohorts to replicate our findings that cannabis use is associated with greater physical activity and not associated with sedentary behavior in order to fully assess the potential public health impact of increases in cannabis use.


Author(s):  
Jamil A Malik ◽  
Jennifer Coto ◽  
Elizabeth R Pulgaron ◽  
Amber Daigre ◽  
Janine E Sanchez ◽  
...  

Abstract This study investigated the role of objectively measured moderate–vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior on cardiometabolic risk factors of young Latino children. We hypothesized that MVPA would be associated with lower cardiometabolic risk when sedentary behavior is low. We studied 86 primarily low-income, Latino children using a cross-sectional study design. The study sample consisted of 51 girls and 35 boys, with mean age 5.6 (SD = .53) years. Physical activity was measured by accelerometry, anthropometric measures obtained, and fasting blood samples were used to measure cardiometabolic risk factors. Greater levels of sedentary behavior were associated with increased waist circumference (rs = .24, p &lt; .05) and metabolic risks. MVPA, however, had significant beneficial associations with all cardiometabolic risk factors (rs-range = −.20 to −.45, p &lt; .05) with the exception of plasma insulin. MVPA predicted latent variables representing anthropometric risk (β = −.57, p &lt; .01), cardiac risk (β = −.74, p &lt; .01), and metabolic risk (β = −.88, p &lt; .01). Sedentary behavior significantly moderated the effect of MVPA on anthropometric (β-interaction = .49, p &lt; .01), cardiac (β-interaction = .45, p &lt; .01), and metabolic risk (β-interaction = .77, p &lt; .01), such that more MVPA was associated with better health outcomes under conditions of lower sedentary behavior. The model explained 13%, 22%, and 45% variance in anthropometric, cardiac, and metabolic risk factors, respectively. Increased MVPA is associated with decreased cardiometabolic risk in young Latino children, particularly when sedentary behavior is low.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (s2) ◽  
pp. S251-S273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salomé Aubert ◽  
Joel D. Barnes ◽  
Chalchisa Abdeta ◽  
Patrick Abi Nader ◽  
Ade F. Adeniyi ◽  
...  

Background: Accumulating sufficient moderate to vigorous physical activity is recognized as a key determinant of physical, physiological, developmental, mental, cognitive, and social health among children and youth (aged 5–17 y). The Global Matrix 3.0 of Report Card grades on physical activity was developed to achieve a better understanding of the global variation in child and youth physical activity and associated supports. Methods: Work groups from 49 countries followed harmonized procedures to develop their Report Cards by grading 10 common indicators using the best available data. The participating countries were divided into 3 categories using the United Nations’ human development index (HDI) classification (low or medium, high, and very high HDI). Results: A total of 490 grades, including 369 letter grades and 121 incomplete grades, were assigned by the 49 work groups. Overall, an average grade of “C-,” “D+,” and “C-” was obtained for the low and medium HDI countries, high HDI countries, and very high HDI countries, respectively. Conclusions: The present study provides rich new evidence showing that the situation regarding the physical activity of children and youth is a concern worldwide. Strategic public investments to implement effective interventions to increase physical activity opportunities are needed.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Brad R. Julius ◽  
Amy M.J. O’Shea ◽  
Shelby L. Francis ◽  
Kathleen F. Janz ◽  
Helena Laroche

Purpose: The authors examined the relationship between mother and child activity. Methods: The authors compared moderate–vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time of low-income mothers with obesity and their 6- to 12-year-old children on week (WD) and weekend (WE) days. A total of 196 mother–child pairs wore accelerometers simultaneously for a week. Mothers completed questionnaires. Spearman correlation and multivariate regression were used. Results: WE MVPA (accelerometry) was significantly correlated between mothers with children aged 6–7 (rs = .35) and daughters (rs = .27). Self-reported maternal PA time spent with one of their children was significantly correlated with the WE MVPA of all children (rs = .21) and children aged 8–10 (rs = .22) and with the WD MVPA of all children (rs = .15), children aged 8–10 (rs = .23), aged 11–12 (rs = .52), and daughters (rs = .37), and inversely correlated to the WD sedentary time of all children (rs = −.21), children aged 8–10 (rs = −.30), aged 11–12 (rs = −.34), daughters (rs = −.26), and sons (rs = −.22). In multivariate regression, significant associations were identified between reported child–mother PA time together and child MVPA and sedentary time (accelerometry). Conclusions: Mothers may influence the PA levels of their children with the strongest associations found in children aged 6–7 and daughters. Mother–child coparticipation in PA may lead to increased child MVPA and decreased sedentary behavior.


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.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abbi Lane-Cordova ◽  
Melissa Jones ◽  
Janet M Catov ◽  
Bethany Barone Gibbs

Background: Pregnancy influences longer-term vascular health for women. Moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SED) have been associated with blood pressure (BP) in non-pregnant adults. Self-reported pregnancy MVPA has been associated with less risk of hypertension during pregnancy, but associations of MVPA and SED patterns during pregnancy and postpartum BP have not been investigated. Methods: MVPA and SED were measured objectively in women in each trimester of a singleton pregnancy using triaxial and positional accelerometers and defined using established cut points. Systolic and diastolic BP obtained at the 6-week postpartum clinic visit were abstracted from medical charts. Latent class trajectory modeling was used to assign women to one of three MVPA and SED trajectory groups: low, medium, and high. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to evaluate differences in systolic and diastolic BP between trajectory groups and linear regression was used to test for associations of MVPA and SED trajectory group assignment with BP. Adjustment variables included age, race, and postpartum BMI. Results: Of the 101 women in the study, 23 were African American, mean age = 31±0.5 years and mean postpartum BMI = 27.6±0.7 kg/m 2 . Mean postpartum systolic and diastolic BP were 114±1 and 71±1 mmHg. Systolic BP was similar among MVPA and SED trajectory groups. Diastolic BP differed between MVPA (low: 76±2, medium: 70±1, high: 70±2 mmHg, p<0.05) and SED (low: 71±3, medium: 69±1, high: 74±1, p<0.05) trajectory groups. In adjusted analyses, SED, but not MVPA, trajectory assignment was significantly associated with postpartum diastolic BP, b=3.1, 95% CI: 0.6, 5.6, p<0.02. Compared to the low SED trajectory, assignment to the high SED trajectory was associated with 4.9 (95% CI: -0.2, 10.0) mmHg higher diastolic BP in the adjusted model. Conclusions: SED trajectory across three trimesters of pregnancy was associated with postpartum diastolic BP, even after accounting for biologic covariates and MVPA. Results suggest avoiding high SED during pregnancy might help improve diastolic BP after delivery.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 141 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iva Miljkovic ◽  
Allison Kuipers ◽  
Ryan Cvejkus ◽  
Victor Wheeler ◽  
Joseph Zmuda

Increased skeletal muscle fat infiltration (i.e. myosteatosis) is now recognized as a major risk factor for cardio-metabolic diseases. Therefore, a lifestyle modification that reduces myosteatosis would be of great public health importance. However, studies examining the association of relevant lifestyle factors with this ectopic fat depot are lacking, particularly in African ancestry populations who have a very high burden of cardio-metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between objectively measured physical activity and sedentary behavior with computed tomography measured calf muscle attenuation among middle-aged and elderly African-Caribbeans from the population-based Tobago Health Study. Preliminary analyses were conducted among 134 women (mean age 59 yrs, mean BMI 31.6 kg/m 2 ) and 355 men (mean age 62 yrs, mean BMI 28 kg/m 2 ). Physical activity was measured using the SenseWear Pro armband worn for 4-7 days. We calculated the mean duration of waking time engaged in light physical activity (LPA), moderate to vigorous activity (MVPA), and sedentary behavior (SB) per day. Skeletal muscle attenuation (mg/cm 3 ) reflects the fat content of the muscle such that greater skeletal muscle fat infiltration is reflected by lower attenuation. Women spent less time in LPA (146 vs. 270 min/day) and MVPA (15 vs. 41 min/day), but more time in SB (789 vs. 647 min/day) than men (all p<0.0001) after adjustments for gender differences in age. Muscle attenuation was lower among women compared with men (70.5 vs. 72.7 mg/cm3; age and BMI adjusted p<0.0001). In both women and men, muscle attenuation was positively correlated with the LPA and MVPA, and inversely with time spent in SB (spearman correlation coefficients (r) ranged from 0.21 to 0.39, all p<0.006 adjusted for age). Upon additional adjustment for BMI, in both women and men, the association of muscle attenuation with MVPA remained significant (r=0.21 and r=0.18, respectively, both p<0.03), but there was no association with LPA. Percent time spent in SB was associated with muscle attenuation only among women after additional adjustment for BMI (women: -0.16, p=0.052), and we also found a significant sex interaction effect of SB on muscle attenuation (p=0.035). Our preliminary findings suggest that there is significant association between MVPA and myosteatosis among middle-aged and elderly African Caribbeans. However, SB may only be relevant for myosteatosis among women. Future analyses will be conducted in a larger sample from this cohort to confirm our findings and to test for independence from other potential confounding factors, such as diet, sleep patterns, adiposity distribution, and diabetes.


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