Birthweight, body composition, and motor performance in 7‐ to 10‐year‐old children. (19th December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moura‐Dos‐Santos, Marcos André; De Almeida, Marcelus Brito; Manhães‐De‐Castro, Raul; Katzmarzyk, Peter T; Maia, José António Ribeiro; Leandro, Carol Góis
• Is Part Of: Developmental medicine & child neurology. Volume 57:Number 5(2015:May)
• Page Start: 470
• Page End: 475
• Publication Date: 2014-12-19
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Pediatric neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.12664
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0012-1622

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="dmcn12664-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="dmcn12664-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of birthweight on motor performance and body composition in children. Further, we investigated whether associations between birthweight and motor performance changed after adjustment for current height, body mass index (BMI), fat‐free mass (FFM), and % body fat.</p> </sec> <sec id="dmcn12664-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>A total of 483 children (251 males and 232 females) aged 7 to 10 years (mean 8.78, SD 1.0y) born in Vitória Santo Antão (northeast Brazil) were sampled. Motor performance was operationalized using different physical fitness components and gross motor coordination. Physical fitness was measured by handgrip strength, muscle endurance, explosive power, flexibility, agility, running speed, and maximal oxygen consumption (VO<sub>2max</sub>). Gross motor coordination was evaluated by means of the <italic>Körper Koordination Test für Kinder</italic> (KTK).</p> </sec> <sec id="dmcn12664-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Positive correlations between birthweight and height, BMI, and FFM were found. Birthweight was positively correlated with handgrip strength and negatively correlated with 20‐meter sprint time, even after controlling for age, height, BMI, FFM, and % body fat. Birthweight was negatively associated with relative VO<sub>2max</sub> (mL/kg/min); however, the association was no longer significant after inclusion of BMI or FFM in the model.</p> </sec> <sec id="dmcn12664-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Interpretation</title> <p>Birthweight significantly predicted height, BMI, FFM, and performance in strength and velocity tests, but did not influence gross motor coordination.</p> </sec> </abstract>