Associations of physical activity and cognitive function with gross motor skills in preschoolers: Cross-sectional study.

Gross motor development in the preschool phase depends on several factors that remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate whether level of habitual physical activity (HPA) and global cognitive function (CF) can be used as predictors of gross motor skills in Brazilian preschoolers and to verify their possible mediators. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 166 children, aged 3-5 years. Gross motor skills, HPA, CF and possible mediators (e.g., sex, prematurity) were evaluated. Preschoolers with little HPA, low CF, and girls were more likely to have gross motor performance below expected, but female gender did not mediate HPA or CF. Therefore, HPA and CF, in addition to females, may be independent predictors of delayed gross motor skills in Brazilian preschoolers.

Association of muscular strength with total and central adiposity in adolescents with intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND: It has been established that for youth without disabilities, muscular strength (MS) is negatively associated with total and central adiposity. However, this relationship has not been clearly established for youth with intellectual disability (ID). The purpose of this study was to examine the association of MS with total and central adiposity in adolescents with ID. METHOD: Participants were 59 adolescents (40 males and 19 females: age 16.29 ± 1.66 years) with ID. Total and central adiposity were evaluated with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, waist circumference (WC), and conicity index (C-index). MS was evaluated with the score on the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (range, 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating better performance). Sex-specific maturity offset equations were used to evaluate somatic maturity. Spearman's correlation coefficients and sequential multiple regression were used to examine associations between MS and adiposity. RESULTS: Muscular strength score was negatively associated with BMI (sr = -0.32; P < 0.05), percent body fat (%BF; total, trunk, android and gynoid regions) (sr = -0.51 to -0.58; P < 0.01), and android-to-gynoid fat ratio (sr = -0.29; P < 0.05). After control for somatic maturity and sex, regression analysis indicated that MS score explained 10%-17% of the variance in BMI, BMI z-score, %BF (total, trunk, android and gynoid regions), WC, C-index and android-to-gynoid fat ratio. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that MS is associated with DXA- and anthropometric-determined total and central adiposity among adolescents with ID.

Externalizing problems mediate the relationship between motor proficiency and internalizing problems in children: An extension of the Environmental Stress Hypothesis.

The Environmental Stress Hypothesis (ESH) is a causal theoretical framework that provides a flexible context for understanding factors that mediate the relationship between low motor proficiency and internalizing problems in children. The purpose of the present study was to use the ESH framework to determine whether body mass index (BMI), physical activity levels, psychosocial health and physical health, self-efficacy, perceived social status, prosocial behavior and externalizing problems were potential mediators between motor proficiency and internalizing factors in a population of Brazilian children. 431 children aged 7- to 10 years (240 females, 191 males) participated in the study. The variables were measured with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd ed. (MABC-2), the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), the MacArthur Subjective Social Status Scale (MacArthur SSS), the Self-efficacy Sense Assessment Roadmap (RASAE), and the Physical Activity Questionnaire (PAQ). The results indicated a direct relationship between motor proficiency and internalizing problems in a population of Brazilian children, with externalizing problems being the only variable mediating that relationship. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that externalizing problems were tested in the context of the ESH. Understanding and evaluating potential mediators in the relationship between motor proficiency and internalizing problems using the ESH framework is essential to promote prevention policies and interventions for school-age children.

Association between motor proficiency and oral health in people with intellectual disabilities.

BACKGROUND: People with intellectual disabilities (IDs) may be at increased risk of developing periodontal diseases and dental caries due to poor oral hygiene. Our aim was to investigate motor proficiency factors associated with presence of visible plaque and gingival bleeding in people with IDs. We were particularly interested in the level of dependence, manual coordination and fine manual control of people with ID, as well as the level of exhaustion of the primary caregiver. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 299 people with ID were evaluated for oral hygiene using the simplified Visible Plaque Index and for gum inflammation using the Gingival Bleeding Index. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test assessed motor proficiency through fine manual control (fine motor integration and fine motor precision) and manual coordination (manual dexterity and upper limb coordination). The level of dependence was assessed by the Katz dependency index, and the caregiver was tested for exhaustion using the fatigue severity scale. Prevalence ratios [and 95% confidence intervals (CI)] were calculated using crude and adjusted Poisson regression with robust variance. RESULTS: The exhaustion of the caregiver was associated positively to visible plaque [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.36; 95% CI 1.06-1.65]. For gingival bleeding, people with IDs that had better fine motor integration (PR = 0.49; 95% CI 0.33-0.75) and precision (PR = 0.50; 95% CI 0.26-0.94), as well as manual dexterity (PR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.49-0.77), presented better results. CONCLUSION: Poor oral hygiene and gum inflammation were associated with motor proficiency of people with IDs and caregivers' exhaustion. Interventions to improve the oral health of people with IDs should take into account such conditions.

Comparing Motor Competence of Sex- and Age-Matched Youth With Intellectual Disability From Brazil and the United States.

Youth with intellectual disabilities (IDs) demonstrate below-criteria motor competence (MC) compared with typically developing (TD) youth. Whether differences in MC exist for youth with ID from different countries is unknown. This study examined the MC of youth with ID from Brazil (BR) and the United States (US) and compared it with norms for TD youth as established by the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2). The authors measured 19 BOT-2 test items for bilateral coordination, balance, and upper limb coordination of 502 youth (BR = 252, US = 250) with ID (6-21 years). Raw scores were converted to %ceiling (percentile of highest expected scores). For all test items, no significant differences were seen between BR and US participants in %ceiling scores. Participants from both countries demonstrated equivalent to slightly below BOT-2 norms in 14 of the 19 test items, with lowest scores seen in contralateral synchronizing bilateral coordination, balancing on one leg, and ball handling.

Percentile curves for Brazilian children evaluated with the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd edition / Curvas percentílicas para crianças brasileiras avaliadas pelo Teste de Proficiência Motora Bruininks-Oseretsky, 2ª edição

Abstract This study aimed to (1) create percentile curves and norms for the eight subtests of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd edition (BOT-2) for 6- to 10-year-old Brazilian children and to (2) compare them to the values of the original test manual. To that, we tested a sample of 931 Brazilian children (477 girls, 454 boys) with ages between 6 to 10 with the BOT-2 assessment. The LMS method was used to generate the percentile curves and normative values, with the LMSchartmaker Pro software version 2.54. Results demonstrate that girls had significantly higher scores for the fine motor precision, fine motor integration, manual dexterity and balance subtests, while boys had significantly higher scores on upper-limb coordination, running speed and agility, and the strength subtests. The findings also indicated higher values for the Brazilian group in the subtests of bilateral coordination, running speed and agility, balance, and upper-limb coordination when compared to the North American normative sample. The percentile curves illustrate the increase in motor proficiency levels as age increases, with different trajectories for each subtest. Future studies should continue the investigation of cultural norms and appropriate assessments for the Brazilian population. Here, the creation of percentile curves and norms that are better suited for the Brazilian population can significantly help with assessment and intervention for motor development in distinct settings and with typical and atypical school-age children.

Resumo Este estudo objetivou (1) criar curvas e normas percentílicas para os oito subtestes do Teste de Proficiência Motora Bruininks-Oseretsky, 2ª edição (BOT-2) para crianças brasileiras de 6 a 10 anos e compará-las com os valores do manual de teste original. Para tanto, testamos uma amostra de 931 crianças brasileiras (477 meninas, 454 meninos) com idades entre 6 a 10 anos com a avaliação do BOT-2. O método LMS foi usado para gerar as curvas de percentil e valores normativos, utilizando o software LMSchartmaker Pro versão 2.54. Os resultados demonstram que as meninas tiveram escores significativamente mais altos nos subtestes de precisão motora fina, integração motora fina, destreza manual e equilíbrio, enquanto os meninos tiveram escores significativamente mais altos nos subtestes de coordenação de membros superiores, velocidade de corrida e agilidade e força. Os resultados também indicaram valores mais elevados para o grupo brasileiro nos subtestes de coordenação bilateral, corrida de velocidade e agilidade, equilíbrio e coordenação dos membros superiores quando comparados com a amostra normativa norte-americana. As curvas percentílicas ilustram o aumento nos níveis de proficiência motora à medida que a idade aumenta, com diferentes trajetórias para cada subteste. Estudos futuros devem continuar a investigação de normas culturais e avaliações apropriadas para a população brasileira. Neste estudo, a criação de curvas e normas percentílicas mais adequadas para a população brasileira pode ajudar significativamente na avaliação e intervenção para o desenvolvimento motor em diferentes contextos e com crianças em idade escolar típicas e atípicas.

Development and reproducibility of an instrument to assess behavioral and environmental aspects related to cyclist safety / Desenvolvimento e reprodutibilidade de um instrumento para avaliar aspectos comportamentais e ambientais relacionados à segurança do ciclista

Abstract In urgency and emergency services, the bicycle is the second means of transportation more widely used by the victims at the time of the accident. However, aspects associated with major and minor accidents are poorly understood. The aim was to develop an instrument and test its reproducibility, in order to evaluate behavioral and environmental aspects related to cyclist safety. The instrument was based on footage taken through a camera attached to the cyclist helmet and from a review of literature. Take part in the study academics that used the bicycle to travel at least once a week. Participants were instructed to indicate any safety-critical events on their way and situations of minor gravity based on the perception of real imminence of an accident. In order to identify aspects related to cyclist safety, the routes were divided in periods of 30 seconds. In order to test inter-rater reproducibility, two researchers received theoretical-practical training and performed the instrument in a sample of 100 periods. In order to evaluate the intra-rater reproducibility, one of the evaluators performed a second application after 07 days. The reproducibility of the categorical variables of the instrument were tested through general agreement and Kappa index. For the variables with continuous measuring range, the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) was used. The percentage agreement varied between 88-100% and the Kappa values varied ​​between 0.76-1.00. The ICC values ​​ranged from 0.96-0.99. The developed instrument presents adequate reproducibility for use in research to evaluate the cyclist safety in urban contexts.

Resumo Em serviços de urgência e emergência a bicicleta é o segundo meio de locomoção mais utilizado pelas vítimas na hora do acidente. No entanto, os aspectos associados aos acidentes de maior e menor gravidade são pouco conhecidos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e testar a reprodutibilidade de um instrumento para avaliar aspectos comportamentais e ambientais relacionados à segurança de ciclistas. O instrumento foi baseado em filmagens realizadas através de câmera acoplada no capacete e a partir de revisão de literatura. Participaram do estudo universitários que utilizavam a bicicleta para deslocamento ao menos um dia por semana, foram orientados a indicar no trajeto eventos críticos, situações de menor gravidade baseadas na percepção de iminência real de acidente. Para identificar os aspectos relacionados à segurança, os trajetos foram fracionados em períodos de 30 segundos. Para testar a reprodutibilidade interavaliador dois pesquisadores receberam treinamento teórico-prático e realizaram a aplicação do instrumento em uma mostra de 100 períodos. Para avaliar a reprodutibilidade intra-avaliador, um dos avaliadores realizou uma segunda aplicação após 07 dias. A reprodutibilidade das variáveis categóricas do instrumento foi testada através da concordância geral e índice Kappa. Para as variáveis com escala de medida contínua foi utilizado o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse. Os percentuais de concordância variaram entre 88, e 100% e os valores de Kappa entre 0,76 e 1,00. Os valores de CCI variaram entre 0,96 e 0,99. O instrumento desenvolvido apresenta reprodutibilidade adequada para o emprego em pesquisas para avaliação da segurança de ciclistas em contextos urbanos.

Motor skills assessments: support for a general motor factor for the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 / Avaliação de habilidades motoras: suporte a um fator motor geral para o Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 e o Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2

Abstract Objective To evaluate the construct validity and model-based reliability of general and specific contributions of the subscales of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 (BOT-2) when evaluating motor skills across a range of psychiatric disorders. Methods Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and bifactor analysis were conducted on BOT-2 data from 187 elementary school students (grades 1 to 6) (mean age: 113 ± 20 months; boys: n = 117, 62.56%) and on MABC-2 data from 127 elementary school students (grade 1) (mean age: 76 ± 2 months; boys: n = 58, 45.67%). Results The results of the CFA fit the data for multidimensionality for the BOT-2 and presented poor fit indices for the MABC-2. For both tests, the bifactor model showed that the reliability of the subscales was poor. Conclusions The BOT-2 exhibited factorial validity with a multidimensional structure among the current samples, but the MABC-2 showed poor fit indices, insufficient to confirm its multidimensional structure. For both tests, most of the reliable variance came from a general motor factor (M-factor), therefore the scoring and reporting of subscale scores were not justified for both tests.

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar a validade de construto e a confiabilidade das subescalas do Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) e do Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2 (BOT-2) com base em modelos das contribuições gerais e específicas ao avaliar habilidades motoras em transtornos psiquiátricos. Métodos Foram realizadas análise fatorial confirmatória (AFC) e análise bifatorial em dados de 187 escolares do primeiro ao sexto ano do ensino fundamental (idade média: 113 ± 20 meses; meninos: n = 117, 62,56%) que foram avaliados com o BOT-2, e em dados de 127 escolares do primeiro ano do ensino fundamental (idade média: 76 ± 2 meses; meninos: n = 58, 45,67%) avaliados com o MABC-2. Resultados Os resultados da AFC apresentaram índices de ajuste satisfatórios de multidimensionalidade para o BOT-2 e apresentaram índices de ajuste insatisfatórios para o MABC-2. Para ambos os testes, o modelo bifatorial mostrou que a confiabilidade das subescalas era ruim. Conclusão O BOT-2 apresentou validade fatorial com uma estrutura multidimensional entre as amostras utilizadas, mas o MABC-2 apresentou índices de ajuste insatisfatórios, insuficientes para confirmar sua estrutura multidimensional. Para ambos os testes, a maior parte da variância confiável veio de um fator motor geral (fator-M), portanto, a pontuação e o relato dos escores das subescalas não se justificaram para ambos os testes.

Associations between motor proficiency in children with history of maltreatment and living in social economically vulnerability.

Maltreatment and living in poor socioeconomic conditions during childhood may implicate in deficits on motor proficiency, nevertheless, the literature on this issue is still scarce. The goal of the study was to investigate the possible associations among manual dexterity, aiming and catching tasks, and balance tasks for children who suffers maltreatment and lived in social vulnerability. Eighty-two (82) children (08-09 years old) participated in the study. Forty-one (41) belong to the (SEV-M Group) children living in social economic vulnerability and were previously maltreated (lived in foster homes as results of parental neglect and domestic violence), and 41 belong to the (SEV Group) children living in social economical vulnerability with no history of childhood maltreatment. Children were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children -2nd Edition. Structural Equation Modeling was used to analyze the data. The results suggest the existence of a variety of motor difficulties in the group of children who suffered from neglect and domestic violence. The statistics model showed a negative effect for children in at-risk environments (regression coefficient=-0.30) and only showed a significant effect (p=0.04) for balance abilities. Traumatic experiences may have a negative effect on children' balance proficiency.

The effects of yoga practice in school physical education on children's motor abilities and social behavior.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, yoga programs in childhood have been implemented in schools, to promote the development for children. AIM: To investigate the effects of yoga program in physical education classes on the motor abilities and social behavior parameters of 6-8-year-old children. METHODS: The study included 16 children from the 1(st) grade of a public elementary school in the South of Brazil. The children participated in a 12-week intervention, twice weekly, with 45 min each session. To assess children's performance, we used the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency - Second Edition, the flexibility test (sit and reach - Eurofit, 1988), the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children and semi-structured interviews with children, parents, and classroom' teacher. Data were analyzed with Wilcoxon test and level of significance was 5%. RESULTS: The yoga program was well accepted by children, children also demonstrated significant and positive changes in overall motor abilities scores (balance, strength, and flexibility). In addition, the interviews reported changing in social behavior and the use of the knowledge learned in the program in contexts outside of school. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the implementation of yoga practice in physical education lessons contributed to children's development.

Developmental and physical-fitness associations with gross motor coordination problems in Peruvian children.

The aims of this cross-sectional study were to examine the developmental characteristics (biological maturation and body size) associated with gross motor coordination problems in 5193 Peruvian children (2787 girls) aged 6-14 years from different geographical locations, and to investigate how the probability that children suffer with gross motor coordination problems varies with physical fitness. Children with gross motor coordination problems were more likely to have lower flexibility and explosive strength levels, having adjusted for age, sex, maturation and study site. Older children were more likely to suffer from gross motor coordination problems, as were those with greater body mass index. However, more mature children were less likely to have gross motor coordination problems, although children who live at sea level or at high altitude were more likely to suffer from gross motor coordination problems than children living in the jungle. Our results provide evidence that children and adolescents with lower physical fitness are more likely to have gross motor coordination difficulties. The identification of youths with gross motor coordination problems and providing them with effective intervention programs is an important priority in order to overcome such developmental problems, and help to improve their general health status.

Motor outcomes in children exposed to early psychosocial deprivation.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of psychosocial deprivation early in life on motor development, assess the impact of a foster care intervention on improving motor development, and assess the association between motor and cognitive outcomes in children with a history of institutional care. STUDY DESIGN: In a randomized controlled trial, children living in Romanian institutions were randomly assigned to care as usual in the institution or placed in family-centered foster care as part of the Bucharest Early Intervention Project. The average age at placement into foster care was 23 months. At age 8 years, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition, Short Form (BOT2-SF) was applied to assess the motor proficiency of children in both groups, as well as a never-institutionalized group from the Romanian community. RESULTS: Children in the never-institutionalized group did significantly better on the BOT2-SF than children who had ever been institutionalized (P < .001). There was no significant difference in performance between children in the care as usual group and the foster care group. This finding also held true for all individual items on the BOT2-SF except sit-ups. Regression analyses revealed that the between-group and within-group differences in BOT2-SF scores were largely mediated by IQ. CONCLUSION: Early deprivation had a negative effect on motor development that was not resolved by placement in foster care. This effect was predominantly mediated by IQ. This study highlights the importance of monitoring for and addressing motor delays in children with a history of institutionalization, particularly those children with low IQ.