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- Skeletal maturation, fundamental motor skills and motor coordination in children 7–10 yearsPublication . Freitas, Duarte Luís de; Lausen, Berthold; Maia, José António Ribeiro; Lefevre, Johan Aimé; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Thomis, Martine Ann; Antunes, António Manuel; Claessens, Albrecht Leo; Beunen, Gaston Prudence; Malina, Robert M.
- Socio-economic status, growth, physical activity and fitness: the Madeira growth studyPublication . Freitas, Duarte Luís de; Maia, José António Ribeiro; Beunen, Gaston Prudence; Claessens, Albrecht Leo; Thomis, Martine Ann; Marques, António; Crespo, Maria; Lefevre, Johan AiméWithin a country social conditions change over time and these conditions vary from country to country. The associations between these conditions, somatic growth, physical activity and fitness reflect these changes. Aim: The study documented variation in somatic growth, physical activity and fitness associated with socio-economic status (SES). Subjects and methods: The study involved 507 subjects (256 boys and 251 girls) from the Madeira Growth Study, a mixed longitudinal study of five cohorts (8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 years of age) followed at yearly intervals over 3 years (1996–1998). A total of 1493 observations were made. Anthropometric measurements included lengths, body mass, skeletal breadths, girths and skinfolds. Physical activity and SES were collected via questionnaire and interview. Physical fitness was assessed using the Eurofit test battery. Variation in somatic growth, physical activity and physical fitness by SES (high, average and low) was tested with analysis of variance. Results: Significant differences between SES groups were observed for height, body mass and skinfolds. Boys and girls from high SES groups were taller, heavier and fatter (subscapular and triceps skinfolds) than their peers from average and low SES groups. At some age intervals, the high SES group had larger skeletal breadths (girls) and girths (boys and girls) than low SES. Small SES differences were observed for physical activity (sport and leisure-time indices). SES was significantly associated with physical fitness. At some age levels, boys from the low SES group performed better for muscular and aerobic endurance whereas girls from the high SES group performed better for power. Conclusion: Considerable variation in somatic growth and physical fitness in association with SES has been demonstrated, but little association was found for physical activity.
- Skeletal maturation, body size, and motor coordination in youth 11-14 yearsPublication . Freitas, Duarte Luís; Lausen, Berthold; Maia, José António Ribeiro; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Thomis, Martine; Lefevre, Johan; Silva, Ricardo Dinis; Malina, Robert M.Purpose: The objective of this study is to estimate the relative contribution of biological maturation to variance in the motor coordination (MC) among youth and to explore gender differences in the associations. Methods: Skeletal maturation (Tanner-Whitehouse 3), stature, body mass, and MC (Ko¨rperkoordinationstest fu¨rKinder) were assessed in 613 youths, 284 boys and 329 girls 11–14 yr of age. Standardized residuals of skeletal age on chronological age were used as the estimate of skeletal maturity status independent of chronological age. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to analyse associations between skeletal maturity status and MC. Results: Skeletal maturity status by itself, i.e., standardized residuals of skeletal age on chronological age (step 3) explained a maximum of 8.1% of the variance in MC in boys ($R32 in the range of 0.0%–8.1%) and 2.8% of the variance in girls ($R32 in the range of 0.0%–2.8%), after controlling for stature, body mass and interactions of the standardized residuals of skeletal age on chronological age with stature and body mass. Corresponding percentages for the interactions of the standardized residuals of skeletal age and stature and body mass, after adjusting for stature and body mass (step 2) were 8.7% in boys ($R22 in the range of 0.3%–8.7%) and 7.1% in girls ($R22 in the range of 0.1%–7.1%). Chow tests suggested structural changes in A-coefficients in the four MC tests among boys and girls, 12–13 yr. Conclusion: The percentage of variance in the four MC tests explained by skeletal maturation was relatively small, but the relationships differed between boys and girls. By inference, other factors, e.g., neuromuscular maturation, specific instruction and practice, sport participation, and others may influence MC at these ages.
- Motor performance, body fatness and environmental factors in preschool childrenPublication . Antunes, António M; Freitas, Duarte L.; Maia, José; Hedeker, Donald; Gouveia, Élvio R; Thomis, Martine; Lefevre, Johan; Barnett, Lisa MThe first aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between motor performance and body fatness among 3- to 5-year-old children. The second aim was to assess whether this relationship works similarly for boys and girls. We also investigated whether socioeconomic status (SES) and geographical area when children are aged 3 years old predicts the motor performance of 4 and 5-yr-old children. Motor performance was assessed through the Preschool Test Battery, while body fatness was estimated through body mass index (BMI). SES and geographical area were assessed via parent proxy-report questionnaires. BMI was negatively associated with standing long jump. The association of BMI and motor performance was not statistically different for boys and girls. Children from low SES performed better than high SES peers in tennis ball throw for distance. Rural children were better performers than urban peers in standing long jump. Rural area at baseline was also predictor of standing long jump and tennis ball throw for distance at time 1 and 2. In conclusion, BMI had a negative association with standing long jump and the relationship of BMI with all motor tests was similar for boys and girls. SES and rural area were predictors of motor performance.