Adiposity,physical activity and neuromuscular performance in children |
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| Authors: | Eero A Haapala Juuso Väistö Niina Lintu Tuomo Tompuri Soren Brage Kate Westgate |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland;2. Department of Biology of Physical Activity, University of Jyv?skyl?, Jyv?skyl?, Finlandeero.haapala@uef.fi;4. Institute of Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland;5. Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital and University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland;6. MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK |
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| Abstract: | We investigated the associations of body fat percentage (BF%), 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. 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-m shuttle run, 15-m sprint run, hand grip strength, standing long jump, sit-up, modified flamingo balance, box-and-block and sit-and-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-m shuttle run, 15-m sprint run and standing long jump tests. Higher BF% was associated with slower 50-m shuttle run and 15-m 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-m shuttle run and 15-m 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. |
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| Keywords: | Adiposity physical activity DXA physical fitness children |
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