High BMI and Low Muscular Fitness Predict Low Motor Competence in School-Aged Children Living in Low-Resourced Areas

Childhood obesity is a relatively new problem for Sub-Saharan developing countries. Especially in children with a low socioeconomic background, the link between motor competence, muscular fitness, and body mass index (BMI) remains poorly investigated. Due to the interrelatedness of BMI and physical fitness, the aim of this study is to determine the predictive value of these factors in relation to low motor competence in school-aged children living in low-resourced areas. Motor competence and physical fitness were assessed in 1037 school-aged Ghanaian and South African children using the Performance and Fitness test battery (PERF-FIT). “Low motor competence” was predicted using odds ratios calculated from backward logistic regression analyses. Low motor competence was less prevalent in Ghanaian children (3.7–11.1%) compared to the South African children (21.9–24.2%). Increased BMI and decreased muscular fitness predicted low motor competence in both Ghanaian and South African children. For example, the chance for a Ghanaian child to have low static balance increased by 22.8% (OR = 1.228, p < 0.001) with a 1-point increase in BMI, whereas this decreased by 30.0% (OR = 0.970, p < 0.001) with a 10-cm increase on the standing long jump. In the case of the South African children, if their BMI increased by 1 point, the chance for those children of having low static balance increased by 7.9%, and if their SLJ performance decreased by 10 cm, their chance of low performance increased by 13%. Clearly, motor competence is associated with both BMI and muscular fitness. Policy makers can use this information to counteract the establishment of childhood obesity by promoting weight control through physical activity and stimulating motor competence at school

Exploring Cultural Bias in Two Different Motor Competence Test Batteries When Used in African Children

Both the Movement Assessment Battery for Children second edition (M-ABC-2) and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency second edition short form (BOT-2-SF) are frequently used in research and in the clinical practice to evaluate motor competence in children. Despite its widespread use in research, no studies have reported the results of case identification in African children. Comparing these two motor assessment tools for a different target group is important in order to select the most appropriate clinical and research tool. Methods. A total of 444 children performed MABC-2, 165 children also performed the BOT-2-SF and subsamples were tested on specific subtests of the BOT-2 (Running and Agility, Balance, and Strength). Tests were administered to randomly selected children between 6 and 10 years of age. Results: 36% for the children scored at or below the 16th percentile of the MABC-2, while this was 43%, 27%, and 23% for the component score in Manual Dexterity, Aiming and Catching, and Balance, respectively. Of the children 16% scored at or below the 17th percentile of the BOT-2-SF total score, while this was 3%, 9% and 22% for the subtest scores Running and agility, Balance, and Strength, respectively. A moderate correlation (r = 0.44) was found between total scores of the two tests. No significant correlations were found between the dynamic MABC-2 item (Jumping/Hopping) standard scores and any of the 9 balance items of the BOT-2. Conclusion: Far more children scored in the clinical “at risk” range (<16th percentile) when tested with the MABC-2 than with the BOT-2-SF. Overall, these children seemed not to be limited in motor performance measured by the BOT-2-SF, Running and Agility, and Balance. South African children did show lower levels of strength and explosive power. Children from different cultures will need tests for the specific motor skills that are representative for optimal functioning in their own setting. Thus, adapting reference norms and cut-off values may not be the optimal solution

Reliability and concurrent validity of a modified timed up and go test for healthy preschoolers

The purpose of this study was to assess the interrater and test-retest reliability and the concurrent validity of the modified timed up and go test for preschoolers. As such, we aim to determine the most suited outcome of the modified timed up and go test: the best or the average performance. Thirty-two children (age 3-5) performed three timed up and go test trials as fast as possible on two separate occasions. During the first session, two researchers recorded the time to perform the task simultaneously. For reliability analyses, intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the minimal detectable change were determined. A Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to determine concurrent validity between the timed up and go test and the balance subscale of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition. Interrater (ICC > 0.97) and test-retest (ICC > 0.75) reliability were good both for the average and the best timed up and go test performance. A minimal detectable change of 1.86 s was found for the best performance, and 2.30 s for the average performance. Only the best timed up and go test performance correlated significantly with the balance subscale of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition, though fair (r = -0.347, p = 0.007).Conclusion: The modified timed up and go test for preschoolers using the best performance is reliable and recommended to reduce standard and measurement error. What is Known: • A large variety of timed up and go test protocols is available for children • The protocols differ in the instructions on walking speed (self-selected/fastest), the use of an extra motivation (e.g., touch a star on the wall) and the applied outcome (average/best performance) What is New: • The best timed up and go test performance induces more consistent test results between raters and sessions and also less standard and measurement error in 3- to 5-year-old children • The best timed up and go test performance should be preferred over the average performance to achieve both reliable and valid test results in 3- to 5-year-old children.status: publishe

Relations between age, step-time parameters and margin of stability during gait in typically developing children

26th Annual Meeting of European Society for Movement Analysis in Adults and Children, TRONDHEIM, NORVEGE, 06-/09/2017 - 09/09/2017Immature balance control has been suggested to be an important rate limiter for maturation of gait. The spatial margin of stability (MoS) is a measure derived from biomechanics characterizing dynamic balance control. Because of its sound biomechanical basis, it might provide insights into the balance control strategies used by children during the developmental course of gait. We hypothesize there will be an age-dependent decrease in MoS in children with typical development. To understand the mechanics behind this, relations between MoS and step-time parameters of gait (STP) are investigated