We examined whether lifestyle differences between Canadian and Greek children may be reflected in Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) prevalence rates. Data revealed that the relatively inactive Greek children demonstrated higher DCD prevalence rates compared to the Canadian sample and exhibited a greater risk for clinical obesity and low cardiorespiratory fitness.

We adopted allometric models to identify the most appropriate body size/shape characteristics associated with physical performance activities of Greek school children. Children underwent assessments for aerobic and anaerobic fitness, flexibility and hand-grip strength. Results suggest that the inverse Ponderal index and not BMI is the most appropriate body-shape indicator associated with running and jumping activities. Height was negatively associated with flexibility, but both height and weight were positively associated with hand-grip strength. In conclusion, allometric models provide a valuable insight into the most appropriate body size and shape characteristics associated with children's physical performances and at the same time ensure valid inference when investigating group/population differences (e.g., between gender and maturation status).

We investigated whether children with suspected Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD+) demonstrate different physical fitness levels compared with their normal peers (DCD-). Randomly recruited Greek children (n = 177) were assessed for body mass index (BMI), flexibility (SR), vertical jump (VJ), hand strength (HS), 40m dash, aerobic power, and motor proficiency. ANCOVA revealed a motor proficiency (i.e., DCD group) effect for BMI (p < .01), VJ (p < .01), and 40m speed (p < .01), with DCD+ children demonstrating lower values than DCD-. Differences between DCD+ and DCD- were also obtained in log-transformed HS (p < .01). These findings suggest that intervention strategies for managing DCD should also aim at physical fitness increases.

The purpose of this study was to examine the hypothesis that improved prediction of bioenergetics may be achieved when proxies are designed to closely simulate gold standard laboratory protocols.