Physical Performance In Children Research Articles

ПОКАЗАТЕЛИ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ ГЕМОДИНАМИКИ И УРОВЕНЬ ФИЗИЧЕСКОЙ РАБОТОСПОСОБНОСТИ У ДЕТЕЙ С БРОНХИАЛЬНОЙ АСТМОЙ

Objective: A comparative analysis of exercise performance and indices of central hemodynamics in children with bronchial asthma. Methods: The results of the study of 40 children with bronchial asthma aged from 5 to 14 years are presented. The children were divided into 2 age groups: I – from 5 to 10 years old and II – from 11 to 14 years old. Along with general clinical research methods, the exercise performance was established by the PWC170 test. The following parameters of central hemodynamics were defined: minute volume of blood circulation (MVBC), cardiac index (CI), systolic blood volume (SBV), stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR). Results: It is established that in conditions of muscle rest in children with bronchial asthma, the indicators of MVBC and CI were higher than in healthy children, due to the greater heart rate. Such shifts hemodynamics observed at dosed physical loadings in children of both age groups, what indicates the reduction of the adaptive-compensatory capacity of the cardiovascular system. Conclusion: A comprehensive study of the functional state of the cardiovascular system showed a significant decrease in physical performance in children with bronchial asthma. Almost all examined patients in both groups had an increase in MVBC due to heart rate. Such changes in hemodynamics were observed regardless of the age and duration of the disease, and during metered physical exertion (post load bronchospasm) – mainly during the post- and interracial periods of the disease. Keywords: Bronchial asthma, children, central hemodynamics, exercise performance.

Effects of eight weeks of physical training on physical performance and heart rate variability in children

Summary Study aim: Physically active adults have been shown to have higher heart rate variability (HRV) than less active adults, but less is known about children in this regard. In adults, training-induced changes in physical performance have been shown to be related to increase in HRV, especially in its high frequency component (HF), which is a marker of parasympathetic activity. The purpose of this study was to examine whether 8 weeks of instructed physical training would improve physical performance and cardiac autonomic function (HRV) in secondary school pupils and to examine the relationship between changes in physical performance and the function of the autonomic nervous system. Material and methods: The test group included 12 girls and 12 boys and the control group 7 girls and 7 boys. All the sub­jects were 13-15 years old. Physical training included warm up, circuit training, endurance training, stretching and relaxation 3 times a week for eight weeks. Endurance training intensity was 70-75% of maximal heart rate. Endurance, flexibility, speed and power were measured before and after training. The low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) components of HRV were recorded in supine rest and in standing conditions before and after the eight-week period. Results: Time to exhaustion in the endurance test increased in the test group (p < 0.001), flexibility and ball throwing improved in the test group (p < 0.05), while no changes were observed in the control group. No significant changes were observed in HRV in either group. Conclusions: In conclusion, eight weeks of physical training improves physical performance in children, but it might not affect autonomic cardiac function.

Effects of an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention to Treat Overweight/Obese Children and Adolescents.

Objective The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention to treat overweight/obese children and adolescents. The main outcome was cardiometabolic risk based on the waist-to-height ratio (WHTR) measurement. Secondary outcomes were (1) changes in body composition; (2) adherence to a Mediterranean diet; and (3) physical performance. Method The study involved 74 overweight/obese children or adolescents. The intervention was multidisciplinary including nutrition, exercise, and psychological aspects based on a family-based approach; it was delivered for six months for children and three months for adolescents. Before and after the intervention, several anthropometric measures (height, body weight, body mass index or BMI, waist circumference, and body composition), cardiometabolic risk index (waist-to-height ratio or WHTR), and nutrition habits of the participants and their families were evaluated. In addition, a set of functional motor fitness tests was performed to evaluate physical performance measures. Results After the intervention both children and adolescents showed a significant reduction in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, and WHTR index and an improvement of fat-free mass, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and physical fitness performance. Conclusion A family-based multidisciplinary approach is effective in the short term in ameliorating the health status, the nutrition habits, and physical performance in children and adolescents.

Dynamics of cardiovascular system on the test of physical performance in children of young school age with vision defects

The article is devoted to the study the dynamics of the work of cardiovascular system in children of young school age with vision pathology of tests for physical performance. Study was conducted among 85 children, aged from 7 to 10 years: including 48 boys and 37 girls, in which found that blind and poor-sighted children lag behind the children of the same age in terms of pulse pressure, systolic blood volume, actual and relative maximal aerobic power. Pulse tolerance limit, on the contrary, is higher than that of healthy children.

Toe flexor strength and foot arch height in children.

The aim of this study was to investigate the muscle strength and arch height of the foot in the standing position and the relations between these indices and physical performances involving the lower limbs in children. A total of 301 elementary school children (third grade: n = 158, age = 8.6 ± 0.5 yr; fifth grade: n = 143, age = 10.6 ± 0.5 yr; means ± SD) participated. The maximal isometric toe flexor strength (TFS) in the standing position was measured using a toe flexor dynamometer. Foot arch height was assessed as the distance between the navicular tuberosity of the foot and the floor in the standing position, and foot arch height relative to the foot length was represented by the foot arch index (FAI). For physical performance involving the lower limbs, 50-m sprint, standing broad jump, repeated side step, and rebound jump were measured. There were no significant correlations between TFS and FAI and between relative TFS (relative TFS = TFS/body mass) and FAI. Relative TFS was significantly correlated with all physical performance tests. No significant correlations among FAI and physical performances were found, except for rebound jump ability in fifth graders. After multiple regression analyses adjusting for gender and body mass, TFS was the only significant correlating factor for all physical performances involving the lower limbs. This study showed that TFS was associated with enhancement of some measures of lower limb physical performance in children. These results suggest that foot function should be evaluated with both the muscle strength and arch height of the foot in children.

Evaluation of fitness levels of children with a diagnosis of acute leukemia and lymphoma after completion of chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The aim of this study was to assess the fitness levels and possible deficits in physical performance in children with a diagnosis of childhood acute leukemia and lymphoma after 10 months of therapy ending through a specific test battery. A total of 58 subjects were enrolled in this study. The experimental group (EG) (7.55 ± 2.43 years; 41.8 ± 16.37 kg; 144.6 ± 10.21 cm) consisted of 18 children with diagnosed leukemia and lymphoma after completion of 10 months of therapy intervention and 40 healthy children who were enrolled in a control group (CG) (7.92 ± 1.78 years; 37.4 ± 12.37 kg; 140.6 ± 12.61 cm). A testing battery including the standing broad jump; the sit-up test; the 4 × 10 m shuttle run test, and the hand grip strength test were administered to both groups. An unpaired t-test was adopted to determine differences and the Pearson product moment was administered when appropriate. Results of the EG were generally lower when compared to the CG. Significant differences were identified for the standing broad jump (P < 0.05); 4 × 10 m shuttle run (P < 0.05); hand grip test DX (P < 0.05), and hand grip test SX (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the sit-up tests. Pearson product moment correlation revealed a good interaction for all EG participants. Findings suggest that the proposed testing battery could be an appropriate tool to evaluate residual fitness levels in children with previous hematological malignancies. However, our results have to be confirmed with a larger number of participants with the same diagnosis of our EG.

Long-term Effects of 4-year Longitudinal School-based Physical Activity Intervention on the Physical Fitness of Children and Youth during 7-year Follow-up Assessment

Many school-based physical activity (PA) interventions have been developed, but only a few have assessed their long-term effects. A PA intervention taking place in the first four years of some Slovenian primary schools entails an enhanced physical education (PE) curriculum, including two extra lessons of PE per week, a wider selection of PE content, and additional outdoor education delivered by both a specialist PE teacher and a general teacher. The effects of the intervention on children's physical fitness (motor tasks and anthropometry) were evaluated within a quasi-experimental study. In total, 324 children from nine Slovenian primary schools either received the enhanced curriculum (intervention (n=160)) or standard PE (control (n=164)), and were followed for a four-year intervention period and seven years post intervention. Data from the SLOFIT database were used to compare differences in the physical fitness of children each year. Linear Mixed Models were used to test the influence of the PA intervention. Over an 11-year period, the PA intervention group significantly differed in all motor tasks, but not in anthropometric measures or body mass index, after controlling for year of measurement and sex. Differences between the control and intervention groups decreased with time. This study highlights the importance of tracking the long term effects of PA interventions. PA intervention in the first four years of Slovenian primary school offers the possibility of improving physical performance in children; initiatives aiming to increase their performance (physical fitness, physical activity) and health outcomes are warranted.

Assessment of Physical Performance Using the 6-Minute Walk Test in Children Receiving Treatment for Cancer

The study of physical performance in children with cancer is emerging as an important variable in symptom research. Studies have shown that children with cancer experience deficits in physical performance during treatment that may be present years after therapy. The aim of this study was to determine if distance on the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) changed in children during the first 3 cycles of cancer treatment and to compare the distances walked with healthy norms. This is a secondary data analysis of 19 boys and 10 girls, aged 6 to 17 years, who were newly diagnosed with cancer and were part of a larger study that measured changes in fatigue and physical performance during the first 3 cycles of chemotherapy. Participants performed the 6MWT between days 15 and 29 of the first and third cycles of chemotherapy. Pediatric cancer patients did not have a significant change in the distance walked at cycle 3 of chemotherapy compared with cycle 1. When compared with 2 different normative data sets for healthy children, most children with cancer performed significantly below their peers. Children had poor strength and endurance after 3 cycles of chemotherapy even when their disease was responding to treatment. Interventions are needed to promote rehabilitation and maintenance of physical performance, as both are important to quality of life and ongoing child development. Children receiving cancer treatment who are ambulatory may appear to be functioning normally but are in fact severely deconditioned compared with their healthy peers.

MOTOR PERFORMANCE IN THE CONTEXT OF MENTAL-LINGUISTIC AND MEDICAL FINDINGS IN FIRST GRADERS

BackgroundEspecially in childhood, motor and cognitive functions are thought to address similar brain areas and thus seem to be interrelated.3 Further a close link between brain function and the skeletal...

VO2 max improves in Indian school children after a feeding trail with iron biofortified pearl millet

ObjectiveTo examine the effects of an iron biofortified pearl millet intervention on physical performance in children, measured by VO2max.Methods135 children (11–18 y) were enrolled in a randomized trial of an iron biofortified pearl millet intervention (vs. control pearl millet), daily for a 6 month period in India. VO2max at baseline and end line was calculated from oxygen consumption and heart rate during a sub‐maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer. General linear models were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention on VO2max in children.ResultsAt baseline 32% of subjects were iron deficient with serum transferrin receptor (sTfR) values above 8.0 mg/L. The average VO2max at baseline was 36.9 mL/kg/min for girls. After six months, there was a significant relationship between decreasing sTfR (improved iron status) and increased VO2max in the iron biofortified pearl millet group, but not in control group (P&lt;0.01 and P=0.10, respectively).ConclusionsSupplementation with iron biofortified pearl millet significantly improved VO2max in children.Grant Funding Source: HarvestPlus

Micronutrient deficiency and cognitive and physical performance in Indian children

Several micronutrient deficiencies affect functional, particularly cognition and physical performance of children. Identifying and preventing sub-clinical deficiencies may be important so that adverse effects on functional performance by these deficiencies, particularly of iron and the B vitamins, are prevented. There is also the potential for childhood micronutrient deficiencies to have long-term effects that affect health and productivity in adulthood. This is especially relevant in a developing country such as India, which faces the dual burden of malnutrition and where the prevalence of these deficiencies is high. This review highlights the extent of micronutrient deficiencies in Indian children and focuses on the effect of deficiencies of the B vitamins and iron on cognitive and physical performance in children. Most studies on multiple micronutrient supplementation or fortification in Indian school children show modest effects on cognitive and physical performance, and it is relevant to point out that these studies have largely been conducted on urban children with mild deficiency at most; children with moderate or severe deficiency have not been studied. However, diets of rural children indicate large deficits in micronutrient intake, particularly of folic acid, riboflavin and iron, and their consequences have not been studied. With the limited evidence available, a short term but economical solution to ensure adequate micronutrient intakes could be through the fortification of staple cereals taken throughout the day. As increasing household incomes translate into an increase in food expenditure and diet diversification, it may become necessary to define upper limits of intake for nutrients in India, particularly as many commercial foods are fortified.

The impact of sport on children with haemophilia

Sport is nowadays perceived as beneficial for children with haemophilia, as good muscle strength supports joints and may reduce bleed frequency; by contrast psychological benefits are less known. This study introduces the impact of sport on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical performance in children with haemophilia. A cross-sectional, multi-site, study of boys aged 6-17 years with haemophilia A or B of any severity, current or past inhibitor, which assessed physical performance, sporting activity and HRQoL using age appropriate questionnaires including KINDL, Haemo-QoL and HEP-Test-Q. Eighty-four haemophilic boys (23 mild, 19 moderate, 42 severe) with a mean age of 11.52 years (SD = 3.4) were enrolled from two haemophilia centres in the United Kingdom. 28.4% were overweight/obese according to their BMI/age and had a good orthopaedic status (M = 1.55, SD = 3.3). Boys watching < 1-2 h of TV/PC/day had fewer days lost (M = 3, SD = 3.2) than those with a more sedentary lifestyle (M = 9.40, SD = 7.1) (P < 0.032). 90.5% participated in regular sporting activity; 79.9% at least twice a week. HRQoL in children was generally good, with highest impairments in boys aged 8-12 years. Boys aged 8-16 years reported good physical performance (M = 80.0, SD = 16.0) with highest impairments in the dimensions 'endurance' and 'mobility'. Boys doing sport had a significant better physical performance and HRQoL than boys not doing sport. Sedentary life styles had a negative impact on the subjective physical performance and number of days lost of children. Encouraging haemophilic boys to participate in sport will have a direct impact on their overall HRQoL.

Is there any relationship between physical activity level and patterns, and physical performance in children?

BackgroundIt is often assumed that physical activity (PA) and physical performance during childhood and adolescence are beneficial for health during adulthood, but a positive relationship between PA and physical performance has not been precisely clarified in children. The lack or the weakness of the relationships between PA and physical performance could be due to the measure of PA. If the use of accelerometry is considered as an objective and common measure of PA, the real patterns of children's habitual PA must be reflected. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the levels and patterns of PA assessed with high frequency accelerometry and physical performance in young children.MethodsEighty-six boys and 101 girls aged 6-12 years participated in this study. Physical activity was measured over a 7-day period, using a 5-s epoch. Physical performance was assessed by means of EUROFIT tests (anthropometrics, standing broad jump, the 10 × 5 meter shuttle run, the sit-and-reach, the handgrip, the number of sit-ups in 30 seconds, the 20-meter shuttle run).ResultsNo relationship was found between PA and physical performance. In boys only, body fatness was negatively associated with vigorous PA (r = -0.38, p < 0.001) and very high PA (r = -0.35, p < 0.01), in contrast to light PA (r = 0.28, p < 0.01), which was positively related to body fatness.ConclusionIn 6- to- 12 year- old children, the more active children were not the fittest. Our results also underline the need for uniformity in approach to measurement of PA, body composition and health-related fitness between studies.

Fatigue and Physical Performance in Children and Adolescents Receiving Chemotherapy

To examine the relationship between physical performance and fatigue in child and adolescent cohorts during the first three cycles of chemotherapy. Prospective, observational design. Two pediatric cancer centers in the upper Midwest region of the United States. 16 children and 14 adolescents newly diagnosed with cancer. Standardized instruments were administered during the first and third cycles of chemotherapy. Instruments included physical performance tests (Timed Up and Down Stairs [TUDS] and the 6-Minute Walk Test [6MWT]) and a self-report fatigue scale. Fatigue and physical performance. In the child cohort, physical performance appeared to improve and fatigue diminished from cycle 1 to 3 of chemotherapy. When time on TUDS decreased, fatigue tended to decrease; when 6MWT distance increased, fatigue decreased. In the adolescent cohort, fatigue seemed to decrease but physical performance measures evidenced little change. Correlations between changes in the physical performance variables and fatigue were not significant. Fatigue may decrease early in treatment as disease symptoms resolve. Fatigue in the child cohort was related to physical performance, which is consistent with previous studies that defined fatigue in children as primarily a physical sensation. Findings in the adolescent cohort support research that defined adolescent fatigue as more complex with mental, emotional, and physical components. Knowing how fatigue relates to physical performance in children and adolescents informs the nurse in educating patients and families about symptom management.

Suboptimal long-term physical performance in children and young adults after pediatric allo-SCT

We present a set of tests for physical performance used for annual prospective follow-up after a pediatric transplant. Of the 103 eligible patients transplanted at a mean age of 8.8 years, 94 were included. The results were divided into early, performed 1 (n=46) or 2 (n=12) years post transplant, and late tests (n=66), performed 4-16 (mean 6) years post transplant. A total of 30 patients had tests both at early and late time points (paired tests). The control subjects included 522 healthy age- and gender-matched schoolchildren. Using their test results, the s.d. score (SDS) was calculated for each patient and for each test individually. Both in the early and late tests, patients had the mean SDS for each test significantly lower (P<0.001) than controls, varying from -0.6 to -2.0 SDS. Specifically, tests measuring trunk muscles gave impaired results. In the group with paired tests, the results improved in four of six tests. In late tests, age at SCT, extensive chronic GVHD and being a sports club member correlated with the results. The potential beneficial effect of an exercise intervention program on impaired physical performance after pediatric SCT merits prospective studies.

School-based prevention: Effects on obesity and physical performance after 4 years

Juvenile obesity is increasing worldwide. Preventive strategies are warranted. The school-based Children's Health Interventional Trial (the CHILT Project) combines health education and physical activity for children. The effect on obesity and physical performance was studied after four years in 12 primary schools compared with five control schools. Anthropometric data were recorded. Physical performance was measured by a coordination test for children (balancing backwards, one-legged obstacle jumping, lateral jumping, sideways movements) and a 6-min run (endurance). No difference in the prevalence and incidence of overweight and obesity was found between the intervention and control schools before and after the intervention. Remission of overweight was higher in the intervention schools (23.2 vs. 19.2%), but not significant. An increase in coordination related to lateral jumping and balancing backwards was apparent in the intervention schools (30.6, s = 10.8 vs. 26.1, s = 10.8, P = 0.005; 21.8, s = 11.8 vs. 19.4, s = 11.7, P = 0.007), and the increase in endurance performance tended to be higher in intervention schools (100.8, s = 122.7 vs. 92.8, s = 126.0, P = 0.055), adjusted for age, sex, baseline test result, and body mass index at final examination. Therefore, preventive intervention in primary school offers the possibility to improve physical performance in children. The prevalence and incidence of obesity were not affected.

15 Differences in lung function and physical performance in children with CF: the effect of ACE polymorphisms

15 Differences in lung function and physical performance in children with CF: the effect of ACE polymorphisms

Exercise‐induced respiratory symptoms are poor predictors of bronchoconstriction

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) is a possible cause of poor physical performance in children. No data are available on the value of respiratory symptoms to discriminate children with bad physical fitness from children with EIA. We evaluated respiratory symptoms in school-age children during and after exercise in relation to EIA. The population of 149 primary schools (849 classes with 15,241 children) was enrolled in the study. EIB was assessed using the 6-min free-running-test (6MFRT) in 15,241 children. At the end or at premature arrest of the 6MFRT, signs reported by the children and clinical symptoms observed by supervising physicians were recorded. Peak flow measurements were obtained before and 5 and 10 min after the 6MFRT, a decrease of 15% or more being defined as significant. The 6MFRT was positive in 7.4% of primary schoolchildren. Girls were more likely to have a positive test than boys (8.5% vs. 6.4%, P < 0.001), and children living in urban areas more than those living in rural areas (8.9% vs. 7.0%, P < 0.01). Premature arrest was seen in 3.5% (i.e., n = 353) of the children. The main reasons for premature arrest were dyspnea and chest pain. Among them, only 21% had a positive 6MFRT, while 89% with a positive 6MFRT could terminate the test. Premature arrest, breathlessness, chest tightness, wheezing, and cough had a positive predictive value to detect a EIA of 21.9%, 20.8%, 36.4%, 41.2%, and 28.3%, respectively, and a sensitivity of 10.8%, 29.5%, 14.9%, 4.8%, and 13.0%, respectively. In conclusion, EIA was detected in 7.4% of schoolchildren. A slightly higher incidence was observed in girls and children from an urban area. Neither premature arrest nor clinical signs and symptoms were good predictors of EIA in primary schoolchildren.

Temperament and Physical Performance in Children With Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) must participate in therapy to achieve motor performance objectives. Their behavioral style may influence motor performance. For this reason, the temperament of children with types III or IV OI was assessed prospectively to 1) compare their temperament with that of nondisabled children, 2) investigate the relationship between temperament and gross motor performance, and 3) examine relationships among temperament, parental overprotection and coping, physical activity, muscle strength, and motor performance. Age-appropriate Carey Temperament Scales, Brief Assessment of Motor Function (BAMF), and the Vulnerable Child/Overprotecting Parents Scale were completed for 35 children 1 to 12 years old. Additional measures included the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire, Parent Daily Hassles Scale, manual muscle testing, Pediatric Activity Record, and a Summed Severity Score. Spearman correlations and multiple regression were used to identify and predict significant relationships. Temperament of children with OI differed from age-based norms in only 1 domain: activity. Motor performance (BAMF) correlated significantly with 3 domains of temperament: persistence (r = -.48), approach (r = -.34), and activity (r =.40). Activity was also related to the ratio of head circumference to body length (r = -.45) and the number of fractures in the preceding year (r = -.35). Parents' reports of their daily hassles significantly correlated with several domains of the child's temperament. No significant relationships were identified between parental overprotection and temperament or motor performance. The temperament of children with types III and IV OI does not differ from that of their nondisabled peers, with the exception of lower activity scores. Although it is considered a biological attribute, the expression of temperament, specifically activity, may be influenced by learned behaviors. Because gross motor performance is related to activity, persistence, and approach/avoidance, knowledge of an individual's temperament may enhance the child's ability to benefit from interventions to improve motor skill and activity levels.

ALLOMETRIC SCALING OF PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH FROM MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE

1597 The purpose of this study was to analyse the power of allometric scaling in the interpretation of physical performance in children and youth from Mozambique. Sample size comprises 317 girls and 276 boys between the ages of 8 to 15 from the capital city, Maputo. Height, weight, sit-up's (number in 60s), hand grip, agility run, and one mile run were recorded. The analysis was done according to the well-known power function formulae: Y=aXb, where Y is the performance variable, X is height or weight, a is a constant multiplier, and b is the empirical dimensional exponent. Empirical b values were compared to theoretical expectations. All analysis were done in SYSTAT 7.0. For hand grip the exponents were greater than expected (boys: height3.84; weight1.17; girls: height3.86; weight1.21); in agility run the b values were not significantly different from zero; empirical b values for the mile run (boy: height1.46; girls: height1.88) and sit-up's (boys: height2.08; girls: height1.20). Weight exponents for sit-up and mile run were not significantly different from zero. In conclusion we have to point out the importance of considering the fact that physical performance is affected by differences in size and that scaling is a procedure to adjust for such differences in children and youth of both gender. Major findings suggest that: (1) empirical b values were greater than theoretical expectations; (2) physical performance increased more rapidly than did body size; (3) exception was made for agility run, and probably some weight independent performance (sit-up and mile run) due to the absence of excess weight and body fat in boys and girls; (4) the effect of size changes in physical performance is somehow dependent of gender; (5) and it is open to debate the idea of a constant shape as growth occurs, since in this study the b value relating weight to height was 2.89.