Children from developed and developing countries differ in their body size and shape due to marked differences across their life history caused by social, economic and cultural differences which are also linked to their motor performance (MP). We used allometric models to identify size/shape characteristics associated with MP tests between Brazilian and Peruvian schoolchildren. A total of 4,560 subjects, 2,385 girls and 2,175 boys aged 9–15 years were studied. Height and weight were measured; biological maturation was estimated with the maturity offset technique; MP measures included the 12 minute run (12MR), handgrip strength (HG), standing long jump (SLJ) and the shuttle run speed (SR) tests; physical activity (PA) was assessed using the Baecke questionnaire. A multiplicative allometric model was adopted to adjust for body size differences across countries. Reciprocal ponderal index (RPI) was found to be the most suitable body shape indicator associated with the 12MR, SLJ, HG and SR performance. A positive maturation offset parameter was also associated with a better performance in SLJ, HG and SR tests. Sex differences were found in all motor tests. Brazilian youth showed better scores in MP than their Peruvian peers, even when controlling for their body size differences The current study identified the key body size associated with four body mass-dependent MP tests. Biological maturation and PA were associated with strength and motor performance. Sex differences were found in all motor tests, as well as across countries favoring Brazilian children even when accounting for their body size/shape differences.

The main purpose of this study was to track the performance and health-related physical fitness of girls from Brazil's Cariri region. In the "Healthy Growth in Cariri Study", 294 girls from public and private schools were divided into four age cohorts--8, 10, 12, and 14 years--and followed for three consecutive years, with an assessment every 6 months. Shuttle run, hand grip, standing long jump, trunk lift, curl-up, 12-min run, and fatness were used to rate physical fitness performance and health-related components on each of six occasions. Tracking was done in a stepwise manner, using auto-correlation, by modelling the individual history of change in performance of each girl, and using Foulkes and Davies' γ-coefficient. SPSS 18.0 and TIMEPATH were used for data analysis. Auto-correlations evidenced low-to-moderate values in almost all components of performance and health-related physical fitness. Intra-individual tracking analysis showed large variation in all fitness components as a result of a wide spread in individual history of change in fitness performance. Population estimates of γ were low in all tests. Our results show low-to-moderate tracking of physical fitness components of girls. A wide range of intra-individual and inter-variability in fitness development was observed.

Resumo -O objetivo principal desta revisão é fornecer uma visão geral dos principais estudos longitudinais e longitudinais-mistos que se centraram sobre o crescimento somá-tico, maturação biológica e, mais recentemente, também no desempenho físico. Somente foram considerados os estudos realizados na América do Norte, Europa e países de língua portuguesa. Em primeiro lugar, são apresentadas as principais considerações teóricas, características gerais, o delineamento do estudo e análise estatística multivariada dos dados. Na segunda parte, é edificado o panorama geral sobre os estudos emblemáticos de natureza longitudinal e longitudinal-mista. Finalmente, foram considerados alguns dos principais desafios que se colocam à pesquisa longitudinal. Palavras-chave: Crescimento somático; Delineamentos longitudinais; Desempenho motor.

A prática de atividades vigorosas está sendo diminuída pela influencia da mecanização que facilita a vida dos indivíduos. Na América do Norte e Europa é preocupante a redução dos níveis de atividade física entre os adultos, do mesmo modo, isto ocorre entre crianças e adolescentes nas últimas décadas, paralelamente a elevação do tempo dedicado à televisão, videogames e computadores (BOREHAM et al.; ARMSTRONG; WELSMAN, apud CARVALHO FILHO et al., 2006). Se houvesse uma aceitação de um estilo de vida mais ativo, poderia obter bons níveis de aptidão física, que por sua vez, poderia adequar-se a sensações de bem estar físico, mental e social. Acredita-se que com o passar do tempo, as pessoas se conscientizem cada vez mais, adotando um estilo de vida que lhe proporcione melhores níveis de saúde.Grande parte das atitudes relacionadas à atividade física na idade adulta é decorrente de atitudes semelhantes na infância e na adolescência (HOBOLD et al., 1999). Desta forma parece provável enfatizar que, quando se objetiva realizar intervenções que possibilitem a mudança de hábitos de atividade física, a infância e a adolescência parecem ser as fases mais favoráveis. Motriz, Rio Claro, v.16 n.3 p.664-671, jul./set. 2010 Artigo Original Aptidão cardiorespiratória e composição corporal em crianças e adolescentesSimonete Pereira da Silva Cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in children and adolescentsAbstract: This study aimed to assess the level of cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in children and adolescents from cariri region. The sample consists of 461 individuals (230 male and 231 female) aged between 8 and 16 years old, from public and private schools in the region of Cariri-Ceará-Brazil. The children were evaluated of body composition based on the assessment the weight and height, triceps and subscapular skinfolds. The endurance was evaluated through the test for 12 minutes. Through these results, we can conclude that girls and boys start to make important differences in body composition variables in the group 3 for girls and 4 for boys, this is where the pubertal period. For cardio respiratory fitness the boys in all cohorts have a better fitness than girls.