Research in preschool children that investigates the impact of different exercise interventions on physical fitness is limited. This pre–post study was aimed at determining if participation in a nine-month structured multisport program (MSG; n = 38) could enhance physical fitness components compared to a formal exercise program (control group (CG); n = 36) among preschool children. Physical fitness was assessed using standardized tests (the standing long jump, sit and reach, 20 m sprint, sit-ups for 30 s, bent-arm hang, medicine ball throw (MBT), grip strength, 4 × 10 m shuttle run, and 20 m shuttle run tests). The structured multisport program involved fundamental/gross and fine motor skills and ball game-based exercises twice a week. The control group was free of any programmed exercise except for the obligatory program in kindergartens. A mixed ANOVA demonstrated significant group-by-time interaction effects for the 4 × 10 m shuttle run, standing long jump, sit-ups, bent-arm hang, grip strength, and sit and reach tests (p < 0.05). There was no significant group-by-time interaction effect for the 20 m sprint test (p = 0.794) or for the 20 m shuttle run test (p = 0.549). Moreover, the MSG and CG performance in the MBT and 20 m shuttle run tests improved to a similar extent from pre- to post-test. Our results indicate that compared to the formal plan, the structured multisport program led to a sustained improvement in physical fitness in healthy 5-to-6-year old children.

BackgroundThe dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity in developed and developing countries has become a major health care concern. Accordingly, there is growing recognition of the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and obesity in the pediatric population. This study aimed to explore the relationship between HRQOL and different indicators of obesity in children aged 7–8 years.MethodIn total, 182 children participated in this study (mean age 7.71 (0.29) years, 48.91% girls). To assess obesity, an InBody 230 analyzer was used to calculate body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BFP). The proxy version of the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire was used to assess HRQOL.ResultsAmong boys, 17.2% were overweight and 4.3% were obese according to BMI, while in terms of body fat percentage (BFP), the corresponding percentages were 12.9 and 9.7%, respectively. Among girls, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 11.2 and 9.0% by BMI and 10.1 and 7.9% in terms of BFP, respectively. The analysis of BFP showed a significantly higher score in normal weight boys than in obese boys in the Social Support & Peers domains (KW H-test = 10.472, p = 0.03), while in girls, there were no significant differences between weight categories and any HRQOL dimensions.ConclusionObesity at 7–8 years of age could negatively affect some HRQOL domains; in particular, obese boys may have low social support and peer functioning.

Complexes of 2-aminobenzimidazole (L) with nitrates of cobalt(II) nickel(II), copper (II), zinc(II) and silver(I) were synthesized. The molar ratio metal:ligand in the reaction of the complex formation was 1:2. It should be noticed, that the reaction of all the metal salts yielded bis(ligand) complexes of the general formula M(L)2(NO3)2 × nH2O (M=Co, Ni Cu, Zn or Ag; n=0, 1, 2 or 6). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis of the metal, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility measurements and IR spectra. Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes behave as non-electrolytes, whilst Zn(II) and Ag(I) are 1:1 electrolytes. Cu(II) complex has a square-planar stereochemistry, Ag(I) complex is linear, whilst the Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes have a tetrahedral configuration. In all the complexes ligand is coordinated by participation of the pyridine nitrogen of the benzimidazole ring. The antimicrobial activity of the ligand and its complexes against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus sp. Staphylococcus aureus and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was investigated. The effect of metal on the ligand antimicrobial activity is discussed

The aim of this research was to determine the effects of developmental gymnastics on motor fitness in preschool girls. This study was performed on a sample of 56 healthy preschool girls that were divided into two groups, a developmental training group and a control group. Motor fitness tests were used from several test batteries: the 20m dash, Obstacle course backwards, Standing broad jump, Arm plate tapping, Seated straddle stretch, Bent arm hang, Sit ups. The basic characteristics of developmental gymnastic training process consisted of station and circuit work and obstacle courses two times a week lasting for 60 min with intensity around 160-180bpm. After the training intervention, the training group showed significant (p < 0.05) improvements in almost all the parameters analyzed (e.g., Obstacle course backwards; Standing broad jump; Arm plate tapping; Bent arm hang and Sit ups) compared with pretest values, with percentages of change and ES ranging from 13.3% to 48.2% and 0.64 (moderate) to 1.20 (large), respectively. No significant changes were observed in the control group after the training intervention except for the standing broad jump and arm plate tapping (p < 0.05). This study provides evidence on the effectiveness of developmental gymnastics programs for the optimal development of young children’s motor fitness.

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