Asociación entre función ejecutiva, madurez intelectual y condición física en niños preescolares / Association between Executive Function, Intellectual Maturity and Physical Fitness in Preschool Children

El objetivo principal de este estudio fue conocer el perfil evolutivo de la función ejecutiva (FE) y la madurez intelectual (MI) en relación con la condición físico-motora en niños preescolares. Han participado 81 niños, de edades comprendidas entre 3 a 6 años, 44 niños y 37 niñas. Se realizaron pruebas de condición física de fuerza, equilibrio, velocidad, resistencia y tiempo de reacción. Se analizaron las FE y la MI con los test de Laberintos de Porteus y el test de Goodenough respectivamente. En la evolución de las variables cognitivas y de condición física según la edad de los niños, se observan diferencias significativas entre los grupos de edad. La velocidad de desplazamiento junto con la dinamometría manual y el tiempo de reacción son variables que se asocian a las FE y a la MI. Por tanto, existe un paralelismo evolutivo entre el desarrollo de la FE y MI con el desarrollo de la condición física

The main aim of this study is to understand the evolutionary profile of the executive function (EF) and the intellectual maturity (IM) in relation to the physical-motor condition in preschool children. A group of 81 children, 3-6 years old, participated in the project (44 boys and 37 girls). Regarding the testing protocol, tests for assessing physical fitness were included (i.e., strength, balance, speed, resistance and reaction time). The EF and the IM were analyzed with the Porteus Maze test and the Goodenough test, respectively. The results showed an age effect on both cognitive variables and physical fitness, with significant differences between those variables between age groups. Additionally, the regression analysis reported a significant association between physical fitness (i.e., sprint, handgrip strength and reaction time) and the FE and the MI. In summary, the results obtained suggest a parallelism between the EF and IM with the development of physical fitness

Physical fitness in preschool children: association with sex, age and weight status.

BACKGROUND: Because fitness level is a potent biomarker of health from an early age, the improvements of physical fitness performance through the promotion of physical activity could be important for the health of preschool children, particularly in obesity prevention. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine the physical fitness in children aged 3-6 years, discriminating performance by sex, age and body mass index (BMI). METHOD: A total of 3868 children from 3 to 6 years agreed voluntarily to participate. Demographic characteristics revealed that 1961 children were male (age: 55.71 ± 11.11 months old, BMI = 16.03 ± 1.93 kg/m2 ), and 1907 were female (age 56.16 ± 0.97 months old, BMI = 15.85 ± 1.89 kg/m2 ), and they were selected from 51 schools in southern Spain. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between sexes: boys showed a greater performance on cardio respiratory endurance, reaction time, strength and running speed. We found significant differences by sex in the different age groups (3, 4, 5 and 6 years old). CONCLUSIONS: Sex differences in physical fitness are evident at an early age; in addition, the relationship between physical fitness and BMI is inconsistent in preschool children. The improvements of physical fitness performance and its association with physical activity could be important for the health of children, particularly in obesity prevention.

[Body composition related with health in veteran athletes]. / Composición corporal relacionada con la salud en atletas veteranos.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the corporal composition of veteran athletes of resistance and his relation with the health and quality of life. METHODOLOGY: It is a question of a descriptive and transverse study with a sample of 91 males (44.1 ± 6.9 years) and 16 women (41.4 ± 5.5 years) healthy medical instructors of career of resistance. For the analysis of the corporal composition there has been used an eight-electrode impedance meter (Inbody 720). The health and quality of life was analyzed by means of the scale SF-36, Spanish version. There were registered the values of athletic practice as for number of weekly meetings and duration of the session. RESULTS: The IMC, the abdominal fat and the percentage of fat place in healthy values, for below even of the normative values. Significant differences do not exist in any parameter of the corporal composition in relation with the number of weekly meetings of athletic practice. A negative correlation exists between the percentage of fat and the social function of the scale SF-36. The health and quality of life perceived of the veteran athletes presents superior values to the Spanish modals normative. CONCLUSION: The practice of four weekly meetings of 60 minutes of career of resistance allows to keep healthy parameters of composition corporal in spite of the age.

Composición corporal relacionada con la salud en atletas veteranos / Body composition related with health in veteran athletes

Objetivo: Analizar la composición corporal de atletas de resistencia veteranos y su relación con la salud y calidad de vida. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio descriptivo y transversal con una muestra de 91 varones (Edad: 44,1 ± 6,9 años) y 16 mujeres (Edad: 41,4 ± 5,5 años) sanos practicantes de carrera de resistencia. Para el análisis de la composición corporal se ha empleado un impedianciómetro táctil multifrecuencia de 8 electrodos (Inbody 720). La salud y calidad de vida se analizó mediante la escala Healthy Survey Short Form 36 (SF-36), versión española. Se registraron los valores de práctica atlètica en cuanto a número de sesiones semanales y duración de la sesión. Resultados: El IMC, la grasa abdominal y el porcentaje de grasa se sitúan en valores saludables, por debajo incluso de los valores normativos. No existen diferencias significativas en ningún parámetro de la composición corporal en relación con el número de sesiones semanales de práctica atlètica. Existe una correlación negativa entre el porcentaje de grasa y la función social de la escala SF-36. La salud y calidad de vida percibida de los atletas veteranos presenta valores superiores a los referentes normativos españoles. Conclusiones: La práctica de cuatro sesiones semanales de 60 minutos de carrera de resistencia permite mantener parámetros de composición corporal saludables pese a la edad (AU)

Objective: To analyze the corporal composition of veteran athletes of resistance and his relation with the health and quality of life. Methodology: It is a question of a descriptive and transverse study with a sample of 91 males (44.1 ± 6.9 years) and 16 women (41.4 ± 5.5 years) healthy medical instructors of career of resistance. For the analysis of the corporal composition there has been used an eight-electrode impedance meter (Inbody 720). The health and quality of life was analyzed by means of the scale SF-36, Spanish version. There were registered the values of athletic practice as for number of weekly meetings and duration of the session. Results: The IMC, the abdominal fat and the percentage of fat place in healthy values, for below even of the normative values. Significant differences do not exist in any parameter of the corporal composition in relation with the number of weekly meetings of athletic practice. A negative correlation exists between the percentage of fat and the social function of the scale SF-36. The health and quality of life perceived of the veteran athletes presents superior values to the Spanish modals normative. Conclusion: The practice of four weekly meetings of 60 minutes of career of resistance allows to keep healthy parameters of composition corporal in spite of the age (AU)