Are we assessing motor competence? Evidence-informed constructs for motor competence in preschoolers through an Exploratory Graph Analysis.

Motor competence (MC) is conceptually defined as a multidimensional latent construct that covers the proficient performance in motor skills and its underlying mechanisms This study aimed to statistically provide arguments that MC is a network of interconnected constructs, such as FMS, coordination, and its underlying mechanisms, which are responsible for preschoolers' proficiency in motor tasks. Participated 102 preschoolers (65 girls, M age = 4.22 ± 0.19) who were assessed for the Test of Gross Motor Development - 2nd edition, the Motor Competence Assessment, and the Supine-to-Stand. Data were explored using Exploratory Graph Analysis, using the EGAnet package in RStudio. A four-dimensional structure (61.2% of interactions) comprising tasks of the different protocols was underlined, in which all the nodes presented stable and adequate indexes (≥0.65; TEFI = -2.67). Four dimensions of MC were highlighted, namely Dimension 1, which combined movements for locomotor patterns; Dimension 2, comprising three process-oriented measures of object control skills to project objects; Dimension 3, which comprised of skills which require body coordination to displace body through space; and Dimension 4, composed by object control skills evaluated through product-oriented measures. For a better understanding of MC, the assessment of these different aspects that comprises MC should be considered.

Adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines in low-income Brazilian preschoolers and associations with demographic correlates.

BACKGROUND: The importance of movement behaviors for health is well known, although few studies have examined the adherence to movement guidelines in low-income preschoolers from a middle-income country, as Brazil. This study reports the proportion of preschoolers meeting the 24-hour movement guidelines and investigates its associations with demographic correlates in Brazilian low-income preschoolers. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy preschoolers (132 boys, means age = 3.97 ± 0.80) provided physical activity (PA) data (Actigraph wGT3X). Sleep duration, screen time, and social correlates were parent-reported. Preschoolers were classified as compliant/not compliant with the 24-hour movement guidelines. Relationships between compliance with movement behaviors guidelines and demographic correlates were calculated using a network analysis (Mplus 8.0; Rstudio). RESULTS: Preschoolers were active (273.52 ± 62.08 minutes/day of total PA), though moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) time was below the guideline (58.68 ± 22.51 minutes/day); spent more than the recommended 60 minutes/day on screen time (169.91 ± 97.07 minutes/day); and slept less than 10 hours per night (9.44 ± 1.12 hours/day). Only 3% of the sample complied with the guidelines. PA showed the highest compliance (43%), compared to sleep duration (35%) and screen time (15%). Male sex was related to adherence to MVPA recommendations, while female sex, with adherence to total PA recommendations. Child's primary caregiver was the most important centrality indicator in the network. CONCLUSION: Only 3% of the assessed preschoolers are compliant with the 24-hour movement behaviors guidelines. Strategies to promote adherence to movement behaviors among low-income preschoolers should consider child's primary caregivers to support movement behaviors.

Physical activity, sedentary time and bone tissue: effects of an 8-months interdisciplinary program with overweight/obese children / Atividade física, tempo sedentário e tecido ósseo: efeitos de um programa interdisciplinar de oito meses com crianças com sobrepeso/obesidade

Moderate to vigorous physical activity plays a recognized osteogenic effect on bone. Moreover, sedentary time, and fat accumulation are unfavorable to bone health. Our study aimed (1) to examine changes in body composition, bone tissue, physical activity, and sedentary time; and (2) to explore whether changes in physical activity intensities and in sedentary time are associated with changes in bone outcomes after a school-based interdisciplinary intervention program. A total of 53 over-weight/obese students (10.6 ± 3.5 year-olds; 26 girls) participated in physical activity classes. Bone area, bone mass, and bone mineral density z-score, body composition (fat mass, fat lean mass), phys-ical activity, sedentary time and potential confounders (vitamin D and maturational status) were assessed at baseline, and 8 months later. General Linear Models were carried out and significance level was set at 5%. Changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity were positively correlated with changes in all bone mass indicators. We observed a significant overall effect of the intervention on bone mineral density z-score changes, however after adjustments for changes in sedentary time and moderate to vigorous physical activity, no effect was observed. Finally, variations in sedentary time and in moderate to vigorous physical activity play an important role in bone mass density in those participants of the interdisciplinary program

A atividade física moderada-vigorosa tem efeito osteogênico reconhecido no osso. Além disso, o tempo sedentário e o acúmulo de gordura são desfavoráveis à saúde óssea. Este estudo objetivou: (1) examinar mudanças na composição corporal, tecido ósseo, atividade física e tempo sedentário; e (2) explorar se as mudanças nas intensidades de atividade física e no tempo sedentário estão associadas a mudanças nos resultados ósseos após um programa de intervenção interdisciplinar de base escolar. 53 estudantes com sobrepeso/obesidade (10,6 ± 3,5 anos; 26 meninas) participaram de aulas com atividade física. Área óssea, massa óssea e escore z de densidade mineral óssea, composição corporal (massa gorda, massa magra de gordura), atividade física, tempo sedentário e potenciais confundidores (vitamina D e status maturacional) foram avaliados no início e após 8 meses. Modelos Lineares Generalizados foram realizados e o nível de significância foi estabelecido em 5%. Alterações na atividade física moderada-vigorosa foram positivamente correlacionadas com as mu-danças em todos os indicadores de massa óssea. Observou-se um efeito geral significativo da intervenção nas alterações do escore z de densidade mineral óssea, entretanto, após ajustes para mudanças no tempo sedentário e atividade física moderada-vigorosa, nenhum efeito foi observado. Por fim, variações no tempo sedentário e na atividade física moderada a vigorosa desempenham importante papel na densidade da massa óssea nos participantes do programa interdisciplinar

Effect of a pilot multi-component intervention on motor performance and metabolic risks in overweight/obese youth.

This study evaluated the effect of a multi-component intervention on motor performance (MP) and metabolic risk markers (MRM) in overweight/obese youth. A secondary aim was to examine whether changes in MP are associated to changes in MRM. A 3-month multi-component intervention was performed, consisting of physical exercise sessions (twice/week;1h), nutritional education sessions (once/month), and parental support (twice/week). The sample included 35 volunteers (7-13 y.o), allocated to intervention (INT, n = 17) and control (CONT, n = 18) group. Variables were measured pre (T0) and post intervention (T1). Fasting blood samples were analyzed for MRM. MP tests included the measurement of health related physical fitness components and motor coordination performance (KTK battery). To assess food intake, a 24-hour recall diary was used. GLM-ANCOVA was performed. Standardized scores were calculated for the outcome variables, and multilinear regressions were applied to analyze associations between the key variables. INT group showed improvements in MP, glycolytic and hepatic profiles. After adjustments for MVPA, SB, total intake and maturational stage, negative associations between %ΔMP and %Δglycolytic (ß = -.424; 95%CI:-0.343:-0.022), and %Δhepatic scores (ß = -.382 95%CI:-0.001:-0.009) were observed. The intervention produced a moderate-to-high effect on the MP and some MRM. Changes in MP were inversely associated with changes in glycolytic and hepatic markers.