Motor Skill Improvement in Preschoolers: How Effective Are Activity Cards?

Strategies to early develop and implement motor skill promotion in preschoolers are lacking. Thus, we examined the effects of a card-based exercise promotion program in a kindergarten setting. 214 preschool children (5.5 ± 0.6 y, range 4.2–6.7 y) were examined in the present intervention study. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were measured. Children were randomly assigned to the KIDZ-Box® physical activity intervention program (INT: n = 107) or the control group (CON: n = 107). Children were trained daily for 15 min over 7 month at the preschool for agility, balance, endurance and jump performance, employing the card-based KIDZ-Box® media package. At pre- and post-testing, dynamic balance, jump and agility performance were tested. Cross-sectionally, agility testing differed between sexes (p = 0.01) and BMI (p = 0.02). Trends towards a significant association were found between BMI and side-to-side jumping (p = 0.1) and beam balancing (p = 0.05). Relevant interventional effects favoring the intervention group were slightly found for agility (p = 0.04, ηp2 = 0.02) and moderately for side-to-side jumping (p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.08). Balance performance did not relevantly improve. As jumping cards have been used frequently by the teachers, jumping improvements are plausible. The activity cards are feasibly applicable but should be employed with more structure during longer training sessions

Beneficial effects of an intergenerational exercise intervention on health-related physical and psychosocial outcomes in Swiss preschool children and residential seniors: a clinical trial

Background. Intergenerational exercise possesses the potential to becoming an innovative strategy for promoting physical activity in seniors and children. Although this approach has gained attraction within the last decade, controlled trials on physical and psychosocial effects have not been performed yet. Methods. Sixty-eight healthy preschool children (age: 4.9 y (SD 0.7)) and 47 residential seniors (age: 81.7 y (7.1)) participated in this five-armed intervention study. All participants were assigned to either an intergenerational (IG), peer (PG) or a control group (CON). Children were tested on gross motor skills (TGMD-2), jump performance and handgrip strength. Social-emotional skills questionnaires (KOMPIK) were assessed by kindergarten teachers. Seniors performed the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), including gait speed. Arterial stiffness parameters were also examined. Questionnaires assessing psychosocial wellbeing were filled in with staff. IG and PG received one comparable exercise session a week lasting 45 minutes for 25-weeks. CON received no intervention. Measurements were performed before and after the intervention. Results. In children: IG improved all measured physical parameters. When adjusted for baseline values, large effects were observed in favor of IG compared to CON in TGMD-2 (Cohen's d=0:78 [0.33;1.24]) and in handgrip strength (d=1.07 [0.63;1.51]). No relevant differences were found in KOMPIK between groups (-0.38<d≤0.14). In seniors: IG showed moderate to very large improvements in all main physical performance (0.61<d≤2.53) and psychosocial parameters (0.89<d≤1.20) compared to CON. Conclusion. IG children showed large benefits in motor skills compared to CON while IG seniors benefit especially in psychosocial wellbeing and functional mobility necessary for everyday life. Intergenerational exercise is comparable and in certain dimensions superior to peer group exercise and a promising strategy to integratively improve mental health as well as physical fitness in preschool children and residential seniors

Estimation of percentage body fat in 6- to 13-year-old children by skinfold thickness, body mass index and waist circumference

We evaluated the accuracy of skinfold thicknesses, BMI and waist circumference for the prediction of percentage body fat (PBF) in a representative sample of 372 Swiss children aged 6-13 years. PBF was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. On the basis of a preliminary bootstrap selection of predictors, seven regression models were evaluated. All models included sex, age and pubertal stage plus one of the following predictors: (1) log-transformed triceps skinfold (logTSF); (2) logTSF and waist circumference; (3) log-transformed sum of triceps and subscapular skinfolds (logSF2); (4) log-transformed sum of triceps, biceps, subscapular and supra-iliac skinfolds (logSF4); (5) BMI; (6) waist circumference; (7) BMI and waist circumference. The adjusted determination coefficient (R _{adj}^{2} ) and the root mean squared error (RMSE; kg) were calculated for each model. LogSF4 (R _{adj}^{2} 0·85; RMSE 2·35) and logSF2 (R _{adj}^{2} 0·82; RMSE 2·54) were similarly accurate at predicting PBF and superior to logTSF (R _{adj}^{2} 0·75; RMSE 3·02), logTSF combined with waist circumference (R _{adj}^{2} 0·78; RMSE 2·85), BMI (R _{adj}^{2} 0·62; RMSE 3·73), waist circumference (R _{adj}^{2} 0·58; RMSE 3·89), and BMI combined with waist circumference (R _{adj}^{2} 0·63; RMSE 3·66) (P<0·001 for all values of R _{adj}^{2} ). The finding that logSF4 was only modestly superior to logSF2 and that logTSF was better than BMI and waist circumference at predicting PBF has important implications for paediatric epidemiological studies aimed at disentangling the effect of body fat on health outcome

Performance, stride characteristics, and muscle activity while running with a traditional compared to a newly developed running shoe

A new running shoe cushioning technology has been developed intending to dampen the landing impulse during running while allowing a powerful and direct push-off. We aimed to compare this newly developed technology to traditional running shoes in regard to endurance performance, spatiotemporal stride characteristics, ground reaction forces, and muscle activity. In a randomized crossover design, 13 recreational runners (age 24.9±1.2 years, height 1.68±0.07 m, body mass 62.8±6.0 kg, weekly running distance >30 km) were tested twice, once with their own traditional shoes and (with a 2-week run-in and a 6-week wash-out period) with shoes featuring the new technology. The two-day testing procedure consisted of a graded exercise running test to assess lactate threshold (LT) on day one. On the following day, muscle activity, ground reaction forces and spatiotemporal stride characteristics at two velocities (80% and 95% LT velocity) were recorded on an instrumented treadmill. Finally, 4 km time trial performance was assessed. Magnitude-based inferences were calculated to compare the two shoe conditions. Ground reaction force was likely higher at 95% LT (+5.7%) and possibly higher at 80% LT (+2.2%) with the newly designed shoes, while muscle activity was likely reduced in the tibialis anterior and biceps femoris muscles during push-off. Spatiotemporal stride parameters, physiological markers during the graded exercise test as well as time trial performance showed trivial or unclear differences between the conditions. The observed differences between the shoe conditions in ground reaction forces and muscle activity were insufficient to elicit improvements in selected performance parameters

Exercise and Arterial Modulation in Children: The EXAMIN YOUTH Study

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains to be one of the most frequent causes of death worldwide. Cardiovascular (CV) risk factors such as hypertension and obesity often manifest in childhood. The study examines the associations of blood pressure, body mass index and physical activity with cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and psychosocial health of children in a systems physiology approach.Methods/Design: This cross-sectional study will be performed in a cohort of 6 to 8 year old school children (n = 1000). As a measure of vascular health, retinal microvascular diameters and large artery pulse wave velocity will be examined. Anthropometric parameters, such as weight, height, body mass index, and blood pressure will be assessed according to standardized protocols for children. Physical fitness and activity will be measured by a 20 m shuttle run, a 20 m sprint and a proxy-reported questionnaire on lifestyle behavior. Spirometry, assessment of heart rate variability and skin advanced glycation end products as well as a flanker test will be performed to determine systemic end organ alterations.Discussion: The study offers a unique integrative primary prevention concept that aims to set the grounds for a healthy and active lifestyle approach during childhood. It will help optimize CV risk stratification to identify children at risk of disease progression later in life. The study will demonstrate the importance of specific CV screening programs in children to reduce the growing burden of CV disease in adulthood. Prospective follow-up studies will have to prove the efficacy of primary prevention programs in children to achieve healthier aging as a long-term goal

Does a single session of high-intensity interval training provoke a transient elevated risk of falling in seniors and adults?

Balance and strength training can reduce seniors' fall risk up to 50%. Available evidence suggests that acute bouts of neuromuscular and endurance exercise deteriorate postural control. High-intensity endurance training has been successfully applied in different populations. Thus, it seemed valuable to examine the acute effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on neuromuscular performance in seniors and young adults.; The acute impact of a HIIT session on balance performance and muscle activity after exercise cessation and during post-exercise recovery was examined in young and old adults. We intended to investigate whether a transient exercise-induced fall-risk may occur in both groups.; 20 healthy seniors (age 70 (SD 4) years) and young adults (age 27 (SD 3) years) were examined on 3 days. After exhaustive ramp-like treadmill testing in order to determine maximal heart rate (HRmax) on the first day, either a 4 × 4 min HIIT at 90% of HRmax or a control condition (CON) was randomly performed on the second and third day, respectively. Balance performance (postural sway) was assessed during single limb stance with open eyes (SLEO) and double limb stance with closed eyes (DLEC). EMG was recorded for the soleus (SOL), anterior tibialis (TIB), gastrocnemius (GM) and peroneus longus (PL) muscles at the dominant leg. All measures were collected before, immediately as well as 10, 30 and 45 min after HIIT and CON, respectively.; Compared to CON, HIIT induced significant increases of postural sway immediately after exercise cessation during SLEO in both groups (adults: p &lt; 0.001, Δ = +25% sway; seniors: p = 0.007, Δ = +15% sway). Increased sway during DLEC was only found for seniors immediately and 10 min after HIIT (post: p = 0.003, Δ = +14% sway, 10 min post: p = 0.004, Δ = +18% sway). Muscle activity was increased during SLEO for TIB until 10 min post in seniors (0.008 &lt; p &lt; 0.03) and immediately after HIIT in adults (p &lt; 0.001).; HIIT training may cause an acute 'open-fall-window' with a transient impairment of balance performance for at least 10 min after exercise cessation in both groups. Occluded vision in seniors seems to prolong this period up to 30 min. Thus, the advantage of HIIT with regard to time efficiency seems debatable when considering transient HIIT-induced impairments of neuromuscular function

Balance and gait performance after maximal and submaximal endurance exercise in seniors: is there a higher fall-risk?

Impaired balance and gait performance increase fall-risk in seniors. Acute effects of different exercise bouts on gait and balance were not yet addressed. Therefore, 19 healthy seniors (10 women, 9 men, age: 64.6±3.2years) were examined on 3days. After exhaustive treadmill testing, participants randomly completed a 2-km treadmill walking test (76±8% VO2max) and a resting control condition. Standing balance performance (SBALP) was assessed by single limb-eyes opened (SLEO) and double limb-eyes closed (DLEC) stance. Gait parameters were collected at comfortable walking velocity. A condition×time interaction of center of pressure path length (COPpath) was observed for both balance tasks (p<0.001). Small (Cohen's d=0.42, p=0.05) and large (d=1.04, p<0.001) COPpath increases were found after 2-km and maximal exercise during DLEC. Regarding SLEO, slightly increased COPpath occurred after 2-km walking (d=0.29, p=0.65) and large increases after exhaustive exercise (d=1.24, p<0.001). No significant differences were found for gait parameters. Alterations of SBALP after exhaustive exercise might lead to higher fall-risk in seniors. Balance changes upon 2-km testing might be of minor relevance. Gait is not affected during single task walking at given velocitie

Effect of CIMicifuga racemosa on metaBOLIC parameters in women with menopausal symptoms: a retrospective observational study (CIMBOLIC).

PURPOSE To compare the influence of Cimicifuga racemosa extract (CR, Ze 450) and menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on metabolic parameters and body weight in symptomatic menopausal women. METHODS In this monocentric retrospective cohort study, women over 40 years old with a first consultation between 2009 and 2016 were screened. Included in the final analysis were women treated with either MHT or CR and having at least one follow-up consultation. Metabolic serum parameters (lipids, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR), body weight, and menopausal symptoms [Menopause Rating Scale (MRS)-II] were the main outcome measures. Statistical analysis by uni- and multi-variable linear mixed-effects regression models assuming a linear effect of time. RESULTS 174 women were included in the final analysis (CR n = 32, MHT n = 142). There was no difference between the groups regarding baseline characteristics (age, BMI, serum metabolic parameters, hormones, and blood pressure) and total MRS-II score, while reproductive stage differed significantly with more postmenopausal women treated with CR (83%) than MHT (55%) (p = 0.038). Median follow-up time was 12 months. In both groups, metabolic serum parameters and body weight did not change over the follow-up period, while total and MRS-II subscores improved. CONCLUSION Menopausal symptoms improved significantly in both groups (MHT and CR), while serum metabolic parameters and body weight did not change in MHT- or CR-treated women

Sprint Interval Training and Continuous Aerobic Exercise Training Have Similar Effects on Exercise Motivation and Affective Responses to Exercise in Patients With Major Depressive Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Sprint interval training (SIT) has become increasingly popular and is seen as a promising exercise strategy to increase fitness in healthy people. Nevertheless, some scholars doubt the appropriateness of a SIT training protocol for largely physically inactive populations. SIT might be too arduous, and therefore contribute to feelings of incompetence, failure, and lower self-esteem, which may undermine participants' exercise motivation. Therefore, we examined whether participation in 12 SIT sessions would lead to different changes in self-determined motivation, affective responses to exercise, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, and depressive symptom severity compared to aerobic exercise training (CAT) in a sample of patients with major depressive disorders (MDD).Methods: Two groups of 25 patients (39 women, 11 men) with unipolar depression were randomly assigned to the SIT or CAT condition (M = 36.4 years, SD = 11.3). Data were assessed at baseline and post-intervention (three weekly 35-min sessions of SIT/CAT over a 4-week period). Self-determined exercise motivation was assessed with a 12-item self-rating questionnaire, affective valence was assessed in each session, prior, during, and after the exercise training using the Feeling Scale (FS). Cardiovascular fitness was measured with a maximal bicycle ergometer test, self-perceived fitness with a 1-item rating scale, physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF), and depressive symptom severity with the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDi-II).Results: The SIT and CAT groups did not differ with regard to their changes in self-determined motivation from baseline to post-intervention. Participants in the SIT and CAT group showed similar (positive) affective responses during and after the training sessions. Cardiorespiratory fitness, self-perceived fitness and depressive symptom severity similarly improved in the SIT and CAT group. Finally, significant increases were observed in self-reported physical activity from baseline to post-intervention. However, these increases were larger in the CAT compared to the SIT group.Conclusion: From a motivational point of view, SIT seems just as suited as CAT in the treatment of patients with MDD. This is a promising finding because according to self-determination theory, it seems advantageous for patients to choose between different exercise therapy regimes, and for their preferences with regard to exercise type and intensity to be considered

Effect of school based physical activity programme (KISS) on fitness and adiposity in primary schoolchildren: cluster randomised controlled trial

Objective To assess the effectiveness of a school based physical activity programme during one school year on physical and psychological health in young schoolchildren