The research highlights gender differences in gross motor coordination. Preadolescence is the best time for motor skill interventions. Good motor coordination indicates an increased physical activity in children. The purpose of this study was to know the differences of motor coordination and physical activity levels based on gender. School children consisted of 95 males (10.57 years) and 105 females (10.36 years) participated in this study. Weight status, height, and percentage of body fat were objectively measured by using standardized protocols to compare anthropometric characteristics. Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder (KTK) was used to assess gross motor coordination, while physical activity levels were assessed by Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children. Statistical analysis used an independent sample t-test (Mann Whitney U test if not normally distributed) to analyse gender differences. The results showed that body mass index was almost similar in both groups. There were significant differences in motor coordination between boys and girls (p < 0.05). The mean motor quotients KTK (MQ KTK) of boys (83.34) was significantly higher than girls (72.39). Boys outperformed girls on hopping height, moving sideways, and jumping sideways. Only for walking backward girls were similar to boys. Physical activity was significantly different in both gender (p < 0.05). Girls were less active than boys. There were gender differences in gross motor coordination and physical activity levels in children. There is a need for better motor skill interventions in girls.

Rural children tend to be more active than urban children, which might affect both motor skills and physical fitness components. This study aimed to examine the effects of a living area on motor coordination, cardiorespiratory fitness levels, and Agility. We also investigated the relationship between motor coordination, cardiorespiratory fitness, and Agility in urban-rural children. School children aged 10 to 11 years participated in this study. Of these participants, 100 were urban children (Male=47, Female=53), and the other 100 were rural children (Male=48, Female=52). Gross motor coordination was measured by using Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder. A single test (1000 meters run) was used to measure cardiorespiratory fitness levels, while Agility was measured using a shuttle run test. Urban-rural differences were calculated by using an independent sample t-test. There were significant differences in motor coordination and cardiorespiratory fitness between urban and rural children (p< 0.05), but there were no significant differences in their Agility. Urban children showed lower gross motor coordination (74.15 ± 10.67) than rural children (81.03 ± 8.62). Cardiorespiratory fitness of rural children (7:07 ± 1.06) was better than urban children (8:13 ± 1.57). Agility between urban (12.78 ± 1.38 s) and rural (12.80 ± 1.11 s) were almost similar. Statistical analysis showed a positive relationship between motor coordination, cardiorespiratory fitness, and Agility in both groups. Living areas affect motor coordination and cardiorespiratory fitness, but not Agility in children.

Regular exercise is recommended for adults experiencing hypertension with low and moderate cardiovascular risk. High intensity interval training (HIIT) is an efficient training method and has a better cardiometabolic protective effect. The purpose of this study was to determine sex differences in blood pressure and body composition after high intensity interval training. Twenty two adults with hypertension and central obesity (male n = 16, age 35.56 ± 4.56 years, waist circumference 98.85 ± 6.85 cm, systolic blood pressure 134.22 ± 2.86 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 85.03 ± 6.58 mmHg) - (female n = 6, age 37.83 ± 5.46 years, waist circumference 95.09 ± 7.49 cm, systolic blood pressure 133.50 ± 6.47 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 89.80 ± 5.94 mmHg) participated in a high intensity interval training (HIIT). The HIIT consisted of 3x4 minutes training at 77– 95% of maximum heart rate interspersed by 3 minutes of active rest at 64-76% of of maximum heart rate. The training was conducted three sessions per week for 10 weeks. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced in men. There was an improvement in body composition parameters, including a decrease in waist-to-hip ratio, visceral fat, and body fat mass in men (p 0.05). Waist circumference decreased in both men and women (p 0.05). It concludes that there are sex differences in cardiometabolic adaptation after HIIT.

No abstract