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Association of Physical Fitness and Motor Competence with Health and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Sport and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2022) | Viewed by 25635

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Prof. Dr. Clemens Drenowatz

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Division of Sport, Physical Activity and Health, University of Education Upper Austria, 4020 Linz, Austria
Interests: sports nutrition; physical fitness; body composition; motor competence; physical activity; weight management; exercise
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Klaus Greier

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Guest Editor

Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Interests: diet; exercise science; physical fitness; motor learning; health promotion; physical education; strength and conditioning in youth
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleague,

Available research has indicated a decline in physical fitness and motor competence over the last several decades. Movement restrictions and policies that have emphasized social distancing, due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, may have further increased the prevalence of youth with insufficient physical fitness and motor competence. As physical fitness and motor competence are critical contributors to an active and healthy lifestyle, it is important to re-emphasize their role in the general health and development of children and adolescents and, accordingly, future public health. Particularly with the re-opening of schools, sports clubs and public parks, the promotion of activities that enhance physical fitness and motor competence in children and adolescents is warranted.

This Special Issue aims to highlight the importance of physical fitness and motor competence for the health and well-being of children and adolescents, by providing an interdisciplinary platform for research addressing this topic. Manuscripts for consideration in this Special Issue can either describe original research or review the scientific literature. In addition, we welcome manuscripts that discuss theoretical models informing the design of interventions that target physical fitness and motor competence in children and adolescents, in order to increase future public health.

Potential topics may include, but are not limited to:

Cross-sectional and longitudinal association of physical fitness and motor competence with various health outcomes (e.g., physical activity, body composition, cardio-metabolic health, mental health) during childhood and adolescence
Environmental, socio-cultural and biological correlates of motor development and physical fitness
Influence of COVID-19 policies on physical fitness and motor competence in children and adolescents
Health promotion strategies targeting fitness- and motor competence in youth
Association of motor competence and physical fitness at young ages with lifestyle habits later in life
Measurement of motor competence and physical fitness from infancy through adolescence

Prof. Dr. Clemens Drenowatz
Prof. Dr. Klaus Greier
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

motor development
motor skills
cardiorespiratory endurance
muscular strength
body composition
adiposity
physical activity
chronic disease risk
mental health
health promotion

Published Papers (11 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 691 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Age Based-Sleep Quality and Fitness in Adolescent Female Handball Players

by Mohamed Alaeddine Guembri, Ghazi Racil, Mohamed-Ali Dhouibi, Jeremy Coquart and Nizar Souissi

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(1), 330; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010330 - 26 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2280

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the differences in sleep hygiene, balance, strength, agility, and maximum aerobic speed (MAS) between two groups of female handball players aged under 14 (U14) and under 17 (U17) years. Seventy-two female handball players participated and were divided into two groups according to age: U14 (n = 36, age: 13.44 ± 0.5 years) and U17 (n = 36, age: 15.95 ± 0.76 years). Sleep hygiene was evaluated using three questionnaires: Sleep quality and sleepiness via the Pittsburgh (PSQI) and Epworth (ESS) questionnaires, and the insomnia questionnaire via the measurement of the insomnia severity index (ISI). Physical fitness was evaluated with the stork balance tests with eyes open (OEB) and closed (CEB), the vertical jump (SJ), horizontal jump (SBJ), and five jump (FJT) tests, the agility (t-test) and the maximum aerobic speed (MAS) tests. No significant differences were shown between U14 and U17 players in all PSQI, ISI, and ESS scores, and balance and strength performances. Meanwhile, the U17 players’ performances were significant better in agility quality (p = 0.003 < 0.01) and MAS (p = 0.05) compared to the U14 players. Biological gender specificity during the maturation phase may inhibit the improvement of balance, and strength performances between the age of 13 and 17 years, while agility and MAS performances are more affected by age alterations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association of Physical Fitness and Motor Competence with Health and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

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17 pages, 928 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Factors Influencing Use of Fitness Apps by Adults under Influence of COVID-19

by Yanlong Guo, Xueqing Ma, Denghang Chen and Han Zhang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(23), 15460; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315460 - 22 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1891

Abstract

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, many countries imposed restrictions and quarantines on the population, which led to a decrease in people’s physical activity (PA) and severely damaged their mental health. As a result, people engaged in fitness activities with the help of fitness apps, which improved their resistance to the virus and reduced the occurrence of psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression. However, the churn rate of fitness apps is high. As such, our purpose in this study was to analyze the factors that influence the use of fitness apps by adults aged 18–65 years in the context of COVID-19, with the aim of contributing to the analysis of mobile fitness user behavior and related product design practices. We constructed a decision target program model using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and we analyzed and inductively screened 11 evaluation indicators, which we combined with an indicator design questionnaire. We distributed 420 questionnaires; of the respondents, 347 knew about or used fitness apps. Among these 347, we recovered 310 valid questionnaires after removing invalid questionnaires with a short completion time, for an effective questionnaire recovery rate of 89.33%. We used the AHP and entropy method to calculate and evaluate the weight coefficient of each influencing factor and to determine an influencing factor index. Our conclusions were as follows: first, the effect of perceived usefulness on the use of fitness apps by the study groups was the most notable. Second, personal motivation and perceived ease of use considerably influenced the adult group’s willingness to use fitness apps. Finally, the perceived cost had relatively little effect on the use of fitness apps by adults, and the study group was much more concerned with the privacy cost than the expense cost. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association of Physical Fitness and Motor Competence with Health and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

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14 pages, 793 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Basic Motor Competencies of (Pre)School Children: The Role of Social Integration and Health-Related Quality of Life

by Kathrin Bretz, Harald Seelig, Ilaria Ferrari, Roger Keller, Jürgen Kühnis, Simone Storni and Christian Herrmann

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14537; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114537 - 05 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1849

Abstract

In (pre)school, children acquire and deepen their basic motor competencies (BMCs) and interact with peers and friends. BMCs are a central developmental goal in childhood and the prerequisite for participation in sportive aspects of social life. Both motor competencies and social integration are linked to children’s health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of the present study was to describe the connection between BMCs, social relationships, and aspects of HRQoL in (pre)school children. In this study, the BMCs of N = 1163 preschool children (M = 5.7 years, SD = 0.57, 52% boys) and N = 880 first and second graders (M = 7.5 years, SD = 0.58, 51% boys) were tested. The children’s social integration was assessed by the teachers; the HRQoL was recorded from the parents’ perspective. In both preschool and primary school, children with better BMCs also showed higher values in their social integration. Moreover, the results indicated a connection between BMCs and general HRQoL in primary school and BMCs and physical well-being in preschool. As BMCs, social integration, and HRQoL seem to be connected in (pre)school, this should be considered both from developmental and health-oriented perspectives, as well as for physical education (PE) lessons. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association of Physical Fitness and Motor Competence with Health and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

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13 pages, 1352 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Physical Fitness during the COVID-19 Pandemic in German Children

by Tanja Eberhardt, Klaus Bös and Claudia Niessner

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9504; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159504 - 02 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1576

Abstract

With the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019, each country has developed strategies to try to control the virus. The restrictions and subsequent consequences also limited the possibilities and structures for being physically active. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine changes in physical fitness in a cohort that was investigated over an extended period. Physical fitness testing was conducted with the IPPTP-R in a primary school from a small rural community annually since 2012. Mean values of test items were calculated for each cohort. We conducted an ANCOVA to examine the differences between cohorts PreCOVID and 2020 as the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, and between PreCOVID and 2021 as the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, no evidence for a negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical fitness in children between the ages of 7 and 9 years was found. In strength tests, performances increased when comparing the PreCOVID cohort and COVID-19 cohorts (Push-Ups: p < 0.001, η_p² = 0.032; p = 0.017, η_p² = 0.006). No evidence for a change was found for endurance (6-min Run: p = 0.341, η_p² = 0.001; p = 0.267, η_p² = 0.001. The rural community maintained physical fitness despite restrictions and limitations through the environmental circumstances. Considering this, it is a positive example of how adequate long-term efforts promoting physical fitness make an impact and an active friendly environment helps to overcome COVID-19 pandemics limiting the structures for being physically active. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association of Physical Fitness and Motor Competence with Health and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

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11 pages, 446 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Subjectivity of Parents Regarding “0th-Period Physical Education Class” of Middle Schools in Korea Using Q-Methodology

by Wonseok Choi and Wonjae Jeon

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7760; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137760 - 24 Jun 2022

Viewed by 1097

Abstract

The current study examined parents’ subjective perception types and characteristics regarding the 0th-Period Physical Education Class of Middle School in Korea. The Q-methodology was applied, and the final 25 Q-Samples were selected through the composition of the 42 Q-population. Among Korean parents, 20 students who participated in “Physical Education Activities in Class 0” for more than one year were selected as P-Sample. Q-sorting was performed by the P-Sample. Data collected by Q-sorting were analyzed using the PQ method program version 2.35, with centroid factor analysis and varimax rotation. The finding pointed to four types, with a total explanatory variance of 63%. Type 1 (N = 7), and was named “urgent legal and institutional settlement of 0th-period physical education”. Type 2 (N = 4) has the theme of “beach-head for a vibrant school life”. Type 3 (N = 4) was named “enhancement of academic capability”. Type 4 (N = 4) was described as “strengthening physical and mental health”. Moreover, the consensus statements between each type were investigated in Q1 and Q2. These findings highlight the importance of the “0th-period physical education class” so the program could be expanded and institutionalized in Korea. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association of Physical Fitness and Motor Competence with Health and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

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10 pages, 346 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Rated Health Status of Upper Secondary School Pupils and Its Associations with Multiple Health-Related Factors

by Armando Cocca, Martin Niedermeier, Vera Prünster, Katharina Wirnitzer, Clemens Drenowatz, Klaus Greier, Karin Labek and Gerhard Ruedl

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6947; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116947 - 06 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1657

Abstract

Health is an essential part of any individual, and gains particular importance in youth, as a good health at this age is more likely to reduce health risks both in the short and long term. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of physical and contextual parameters on youths’ perceived health. A total of 919 adolescents completed questionnaires on self-rated health status, electronic media use, leisure time and club physical activity, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and back pain, as well as performed the German Motor Performance Test. Participants with very good health had significantly higher physical fitness, leisure time exercise, and participated in sports clubs more often than those with poorer health. Electronic media use was significantly higher for those with poor/very poor health. Future intervention programs to improve youth health status should not only focus on active lifestyle but might also consider the impact of socioenvironmental factors, such as daily media use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association of Physical Fitness and Motor Competence with Health and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

13 pages, 606 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Puberal and Adolescent Horse Riders’ Fitness during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Effects of Training Restrictions on Health-Related and Functional Motor Abilities

by Sabrina Demarie, Emanuele Chirico, Cecilia Bratta and Cristina Cortis

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(11), 6394; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116394 - 24 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1967

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse the fitness level of young horse riders before and after 12 weeks of training restrictions instituted due to the COVID-19 emergency. Anthropometrical measure assessment and an eight-items fitness test battery were administered to 61 puberal and adolescent female amateur horse riders. Subjects were evaluated within 3 weeks before (pre-tests) the period of training restrictions and on the first day of normal training after it (post-tests). Post-test results showed significant increases in body weight (Z: −1.732; p value: 0.001; ES: −0.157) and BMI (F: 9.918; p value: 0.003; ES: 0.146), whilst the performance in hand grip and abdominal strength, hip mobility, and 10 × 5 m Shuttle and Cooper 12 min tests’ outcomes significantly decreased (F: 29.779; p value: 0.001 F: 29.779; p value: 0.001 F: 29.779; p value: 0.001 F: 29.779; p value: 0.001 F: 29.779; p value: 0.001, respectively). Correlation analysis revealed that riders’ experience was significantly correlated with hand grip (p < 0.01), leg strength (p < 0.01), hip mobility (p < 0.05), and 5 × 10 m Shuttle (p < 0.01) and the Cooper 12 min (p < 0.01) test results. It could be suggested that equestrian activities could produce a higher fitness level in puberal and adolescent riders, whilst home-based, unsupervised, and unattentively planned training during the twelve weeks of training restrictions might be insufficient to maintain it. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association of Physical Fitness and Motor Competence with Health and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

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12 pages, 969 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association of Body Weight and Physical Fitness during the Elementary School Years

by Clemens Drenowatz, Si-Tong Chen, Armando Cocca, Gerson Ferrari, Gerhard Ruedl and Klaus Greier

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3441; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063441 - 15 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2576

Abstract

Physical fitness and body weight are key correlates of health. Nevertheless, an increasing number of children display poor physical fitness and high body weight. The aim of this study was to examine the prospective association of physical fitness with body weight throughout the elementary school years with a special emphasis on children with high body weight or poor physical fitness at baseline. A total of 303 Austrian children (55.1% male) completed the German motor test up to eight times over a 4-year time span (between the ages 6 and 10 years). Physical fitness did not differ across quartiles of body weight at baseline. A more pronounced weight gain, however, was associated with an impaired development of physical fitness and this association was more pronounced in children with higher baseline body weight. In addition, the detrimental effects of an impaired development of physical fitness on subsequent body weight were more pronounced in children with higher baseline body weight. No differences in the longitudinal association between body weight and physical fitness, on the other hand, were observed across quartiles of baseline fitness. These results emphasize the importance of the promotion of physical fitness, particularly in children with increased body weight, to ensure future health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association of Physical Fitness and Motor Competence with Health and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

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11 pages, 501 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Predicting Psychosocial Health of Children and Adolescents with Obesity in Germany: The Underappreciated Role of Physical Fitness

by Nina Eisenburger, David Friesen, Fabiola Haas, Marlen Klaudius, Lisa Schmidt, Susanne Vandeven and Christine Joisten

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11188; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111188 - 25 Oct 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2218

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the inhibitory and promotive factors of psychosocial health in the context of childhood obesity, incorporating physical fitness as an additional, potentially relevant predictor. Methods: The sample comprised cross-sectional data of 241 children and adolescents with obesity and overweight from the German Children’s Health InterventionaL TriaL III program (12.5 ± 2.1 years; 51.9% girls). Demographics and lifestyle patterns were assessed via parent reports. Anthropometric data and physical fitness in relation to body weight (W/kg) were measured. Children and adolescents completed standardized questionnaires (GW-LQ-KJ, FSK-K) to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and five dimensions of self-concept (scholastic, social, physical, behavioral, and self-worth). Results: Multiple linear regression analysis showed that HRQOL was significantly related to relative physical fitness (W/kg; β = 0.216, p = 0.011) as were scholastic (β = 0.228, p = 0.008) and social self-concept (β = 0.197, p = 0.023). Increasing body mass index (BMI) Z-scores, age, physical activity (hours/day), low parental educational levels, and/or migration background were negatively associated with three subdomains of self-concept (physical, behavioral, self-worth; all p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results emphasize BMI Z-scores, age, physical activity, migration background, and parents’ educational level as relevant predictors of psychosocial health in the context of childhood obesity. Additionally, this study adds physical fitness as a key determinant of HRQOL and self-concept. To enable the development of more effective weight management, therapeutic strategies should therefore consider addressing these aspects and improving physical fitness in particular not only for weight loss but also to strengthen psychosocial health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association of Physical Fitness and Motor Competence with Health and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

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Review

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14 pages, 520 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exploring Recommendations for Child and Adolescent Fundamental Movement Skills Development: A Narrative Review

by Wesley O’Brien, Zeinab Khodaverdi, Lisa Bolger, Orla Murphy, Conor Philpott and Philip E. Kearney

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3278; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043278 - 13 Feb 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3773

Abstract

Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are frequently referred to as the “building blocks” of movement for children and adolescents in their lifelong physical activity journey. It is critical, however, that FMS are developed within Physical Education learning environments and other sport-related settings, specifically as these building blocks of movement require appropriate teaching and practice opportunities. While FMS are well-established as an “important focus” for children and adolescents, to the authors’ knowledge, there appears to be no standardized FMS development guidelines existent within the literature. This paper will examine whether the frequency, intensity, time, and type (FITT) principle could be transferable to interventions focusing on FMS development, and if so, whether sufficient consistency of findings exists to guide practitioners in their session design. Applying the FITT principle in this way may help to facilitate the comparison of FMS-related intervention studies, which may contribute to the future development of practical FMS-related guidelines for children and adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association of Physical Fitness and Motor Competence with Health and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

14 pages, 3058 KiB

Open AccessReview

Gender Differences in Fundamental Motor Skills Proficiency in Children Aged 3–6 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Yunfei Zheng, Weibing Ye, Mallikarjuna Korivi, Yubo Liu and Feng Hong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8318; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148318 - 07 Jul 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3181

Abstract

The age range of 3–6 years is considered as a critical period in developing and learning fundamental motor skills (FMS). To make the formulation of future FMS guidance programs more targeted, we examined gender differences in children’s FMS proficiency using a meta-analysis. Structured electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched using key terms, and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) was used to assess the quality of included literature. Finally, 38 articles (39 studies) met the pre-specified inclusion criteria. The results showed that boys had higher proficiency in total FMS and object control skills than girls (SMD = 0.17 (95% CI 0.03, 0.31), p = 0.02; SMD = 0.48 (95% CI 0.38, 0.58), p < 0.00001), and gender differences in locomotor skill proficiency approached significance, trending in favor of girls (SMD = −0.07 (95 % CI −0.15, 0.01), p = 0.09, I² = 66%). Meta-regression shows that age is associated with gender differences in object control skills (p < 0.05). In addition, through subgroup analysis, we found that boys’ advantage in object control skills increased with age (3 years: SMD = 0.27 (95% CI 0.00, 0.54), p < 0.00001; 4 years: SMD = 0.58 (95% CI 0.38, 0.77), p < 0.00001; 5 years: SMD = 0.59 (95% CI 0.31, 0.88), p < 0.00001; 6 years: SMD = 0.81 (95% CI 0.61, 1.01), p < 0.00001). In this meta-analysis, we found gender differences in FMS levels in children aged 3–6 years. Notably, gender differences in skill proficiency in object control were influenced by age. We recommend focusing on and developing girls’ object control skills starting at age 3. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Association of Physical Fitness and Motor Competence with Health and Well-Being in Children and Adolescents)

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