Does the Record of Physical Fitness Tests Reveal Locomotor Disorders in Children? Relationship Between Records of Physical Fitness Tests and Locomotor Disorder Screenings: Results in Japanese Children

Abstract

Background: In Japan, children often suffer from locomotor disorders due to either too much or too little physical activity. As a result, locomotive examinations have been incorporated into Japanese school education. However, the first stage of the examination process is based on a screening questionnaire by parents, which may lead to serious oversights. Researchers discovered that considering the results of locomotive examinations along with the results of physical fitness tests can lead to early detection of locomotor disorders in children without overlooking them. Objectives: This study clarified the relationship between fitness test results and locomotor disorder screenings, highlighting the possibility of early detection of these disorders. Methods: This is a retrospective study in which we examined the results of locomotor disorder screenings and physical fitness tests of 315 elementary students in Japan in 2022 by gender and grade. Furthermore, we analyzed whether physical fitness test scores differed between children whose screenings did or did not indicate abnormalities, also categorized by gender and grade. Results: Results showed the following statistical outcomes. Overall, we found slightly significant differences between boys in the two groups in the third and fourth grades and a significant difference at 0.1% – 1% in sit-up scores between the two groups of boys in both grades. Grip strength also showed significant differences in the third and fifth grades at 1% and 5%, respectively. The fourth-grade boys showed significant differences in the seated forward bend and side-steer scores at 1% and 5%, respectively. Moreover, there were significant differences between children with and without abnormalities in their 50-m run scores among boys in the third and fourth grades and girls in the fourth grade. There was also a significant difference of 0.1% – 1% in the standing long jump scores between the groups of fourth- and sixth-grade boys. Thus, an association was found between the results of the screening of locomotive examinations and the results of the physical fitness test. Conclusions: Combining fitness tests and locomotor disorder screenings may enable early detection and prevention of locomotor disorders in children.