Suspected Motor Problems and Low Preference for Active Play in Childhood Are Associated with Physical Inactivity and Low Fitness in Adolescence

Background - This prospective longitudinal study investigates whether suspected motor problems and low preference for active play in childhood are associated with physical inactivity and low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence. Methodology/Principal Findings - The study sample consisted of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (NFBC 1986) composed of 5,767 children whose parents responded to a postal inquiry concerning their children's motor skills at age 8 years and who themselves reported their physical activity at age 16 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with a cycle ergometer test at age 16 years. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the level of physical activity and fitness were obtained from multinomial logistic regression and adjusted for socio-economic position and body mass index. Low preference for active play in childhood was associated with physical inactivity (boys: OR 3.31, 95% CI 2.42–4.53; girls: OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.36–2.36) and low cardiorespiratory fitness (boys: OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.27–2.74; girls: OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.09–2.11) in adolescence. Suspected gross (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.33–3.49) and fine (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.35–2.60) motor problems were associated with physical inactivity among boys. Children with suspected motor problems and low preference for active play tended to have an even higher risk of physical inactivity in adolescence. Conclusions/Significance - Low preference for active play in childhood was associated with physical inactivity and low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence. Furthermore, children with suspected motor problems and low preference for active play tended to have an even higher risk of physical inactivity in adolescence. Identification of children who do not prefer active play and who have motor problems may allow targeted interventions to support their motor learning and participation in active play and thereby promote their physical activity and fitness in later life.peerReviewe

Engineering University of Paisley

Also available via the InternetAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:0570.514355(018/2001) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Multinomial regression of physical inactivity and low level of cardiorespiratory fitness at age 16 years on different combinations of suspected gross motor problems (GMP), fine motor problems (FMP) and low preference for active play (LPAP) at age 8 years.

a<p>Metabolic equivalent-hours based on the intensity and volume of physical activity divided into gender-specific quintiles: 1) active (two highest quintiles), 2) moderately active (third and fourth quintiles) and 3) inactive (lowest quintile).</p>b<p>Peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak) in ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ divided into gender-specific quintiles: 1) high (two highest quintiles), 2) average (third and fourth quintiles) and 3) low (lowest quintile).</p>c<p>Adjusted for mother's and father's socio-economic position when the children were 7 years old and for change in body mass index from 7 to 16 years. OR, odds ratio; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval. Note: N/A  =  not available.</p

The number of boys (N = 2723) and girls (N = 3044) belonging to each subgroup according to suspected gross and fine motor problems and low preference for active play at age 8 years.

<p>Areas are non-proportional.</p

Multinomial regression of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness at age 16 years on suspected motor problems and low preference for active play at age 8 years.

a<p>Metabolic equivalent-hours based on the intensity and volume of physical activity divided into gender-specific quintiles: 1) active (two highest quintiles), 2) moderately active (third and fourth quintiles) and 3) inactive (lowest quintile).</p>b<p>Peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak) in ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ divided into gender-specific quintiles: 1) high (two highest quintiles), 2) average (third and fourth quintiles) and 3) low (lowest quintile).</p>c<p>Adjusted for mother's and father's socio-economic positions when the children were 7 years old and for change in body mass index from 7 to 16 years. OR, odds ratio; 95% CI, 95% confidence interval.</p>d<p>Low preference for active play was defined as parents reporting that children liked to participate in active play ‘hardly ever’.</p

The level of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness at age 16 years by suspected motor problems and low preference for active play at age 8 years. (%).

a<p>Metabolic equivalent-hours based on the intensity and volume of physical activity divided into gender-specific quintiles: 1) active (two highest quintiles), 2) moderately active (third and fourth quintiles) and 3) inactive (lowest quintile).</p>b<p>Peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak) in ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ divided into gender-specific quintiles: 1) high (two highest quintiles), 2) average (third and fourth quintiles) and 3) low (lowest quintile).</p>c<p>Pearson's chi-square test.</p>d<p>Low preference for active play was defined as parents reporting that children liked to participate in active play ‘hardly ever’.</p

Sample characteristics of boys and girls in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986.

a<p>Low preference for active play was defined as parents reporting that children liked to participate in active play ‘hardly ever’.</p>b<p>Metabolic equivalent-hours based on the intensity and volume of physical activity divided into gender-specific quintiles: 1) active (two highest quintiles), 2) moderately active (third and fourth quintiles) and 3) inactive (lowest quintile).</p>c<p>Peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak) in ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ divided into gender-specific quintiles: 1) high (two highest quintiles), 2) average (third and fourth quintiles) and 3) low (lowest quintile).</p