Adiposity, physical activity and neuromuscular performance in children

Abstract

Dette er siste tekst-versjon av artikkelen, og den kan inneholde små forskjeller fra forlagets pdf-versjon. Forlagets pdf-versjon finner du på www.tandfonline.com: http://dx.doi.org/10. 1080/02640414.2015.1134805 This is the final text version of the article, and it may contain minor differences from the journal's pdf version. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. ABSTRACT 3We investigated the associations of body fat percentage, objectively assessed moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and different types of physical activity assessed by a questionnaire with neuromuscular performance. The participants were 404 children aged 6-8 years. Body fat percentage (BF%) was assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and physical activity by combined heart rate and movement sensing and a questionnaire. The results of 50-metre shuttle run, 15-metre sprint run, hand grip strength, standing long jump, sit-up, modified flamingo balance, box and block, and sitand-reach tests were used as measures of neuromuscular performance. Children who had a combination of higher BF% and lower levels of physical activity had the poorest performance in 50-metre shuttle run, 15-metre sprint run, and standing long jump tests. Higher BF% was associated with slower 50-metre shuttle run and 15-metre sprint times, shorter distance jumped in standing long jump test, fewer sit-ups, more errors in balance test, and less cubes moved in box and block test. Higher levels of physical activity and particularly MVPA assessed objectively by combined accelerometer and heart rate monitor were related to shorter 50-metre shuttle run and 15-metre sprint times. In conclusion,higher BF% and lower levels of physical activity and particularly the combination of these two factors were associated with worse neuromuscular performance.

Motor skills in association with physical activity, sedentary time, body fat, and day care attendance in 5‐6‐year‐old children—The STEPS Study

“…12 Recent research indicates that higher body fat and lower PA level were associated with poorer neuromuscular performance, assessed with the same tasks that we had in our study; shuttle-run and sit-ups. 35 An earlier study highlighted the complex interrelationships among PA, body fat, and motor performance and suggested similar conclusions as we do, in terms of the association being strongest between motor performance and body fat. 36 However, in both of these studies described above, the body composition measurements used were diverse.…”

“…Earlier research has shown that overweight children may have difficulties in locomotor activities compared to children with healthy weight . Recent research indicates that higher body fat and lower PA level were associated with poorer neuromuscular performance, assessed with the same tasks that we had in our study; shuttle‐run and sit‐ups . An earlier study highlighted the complex interrelationships among PA, body fat, and motor performance and suggested similar conclusions as we do, in terms of the association being strongest between motor performance and body fat .…”

“…However, in both of these studies described above, the body composition measurements used were diverse. Body fat was measured with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), or from skinfolds, and in our study, with BIA. Despite different methodology, both studies show similar indications regarding the associations between motor skills and body fat.…”

Relationship between the skeletal muscle mass index and physical activity of Japanese children: A cross-sectional, observational study

“…Moreover, a previous study revealed that disability significantly affected the muscle mass [ 60 ]. Furthermore, according to previous studies, children who are more physically active may have lower percent body fat values and higher muscle mass values [ 61 , 62 ]. The findings of a Chinese study group [ 63 ] and those of Babirekere-Iriso et al [ 64 ] indicated that physical activity may have a vital role in the development of skeletal muscle mass in children.…”

An Overview on the Associations between Health Behaviors and Brain Health in Children and Adolescents with Special Reference to Diet Quality

“…Higher levels physical activity has been linked to better brain functions and structures, cognitive functions, and academic achievement in children and adolescents in some, but not all, cross-sectional studies [33]. While some studies have found an association between objectively measured physical activity, cognition, and academic achievement [43][44][45], others have shown weak, if any, associations of objectively measured physical activity with cognition and academic achievement in children [46][47][48][49] Exercise interventions also have provided some evidence that increasing after-school or classroom physical activity improve cognitive functions and academic achievement in children [50][51][52]. Increasing physical exercise levels has been related to structural changes in the brain and subsequently with better cognition and academic achievement in comparison to sedentary individuals [33,53].…”