The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of many people. Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyse the physical activity (PA) and daily routine among children (0–12 years) during lockdown and to establish the main relationships among the variables. Methods: A quantitative study with a descriptive–comparative and cross-sectional design carried out. The sample, selected for convenience, consisted of 837 Spanish children aged 0–12. The “Children and confinement” questionnaire was used, distributed electronically through Google Forms and social networks and activated for 45 days. The individuals participating in this study were mainly children (50.2%) who were in primary education (44.8%). Predominantly, the families of participants were biparental (87.9%), with established routines and schedules (85.7%). Results and conclusions: The use of digital screens is an important part of children’s daily routine. Their daily activities were practiced for more than three–six years, with more by girls. The time children devoted to sleep was directly proportional to the time they devoted to physical activity and indirectly proportional to the time they spent watching screens. The children who slept the most were those aged zero–three years, especially girls, who belonged to large families. The levels of physical activity in the sample were low, as were the times spent on activities such as music or games.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences on motor competence between 5-year-old boys and girls and to investigate the existence of Relative Age Effect (RAE) on their motor competence. A total of 232 preschool children were evaluated of whom 134 (57.8%) were boys and 98 (42.2%) were girls. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) was used to collect data. The data show a main effect on gender factor; there was a main effect in total score of manual dexterity (MD; p = 0.010), in total score of balance (Bal; p < 0.001), in total test score (TTS; p < 0.001), and in total percentile score (TPS, p < 0.001). In the semester of birth factor, there were differences in aiming and catching (A&C, p < 0.001), in Bal (p = 0.029) and in total percentile score (TPS, p = 0.010). Girls perform better in MD, Bal, TTS, and TPS than boys. Preschool children born in the first semester obtain, in general, a higher percentage and a higher percentile than their peers born in the second one. RAE is present in A&C, Bal, and TPS, with higher scores obtained by preschool children born in the first semester compared to those born in the second one.

This prospective study assessed the effects of a 12-wk. exercise program based on the Pilates method (2 one-hr. sessions per week) on 99 sedentary middle-aged volunteers (M age = 47.6 yr., SD = 0.8), using an accelerometry, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the SF-36 questionnaire to measure changes in physical activity, quality of life, sleep latency, and quantity. The variables (quality of life, sleep latency, and quantity) were compared before and after applying the Pilates program. All of the physical and emotional components of the SF-36 questionnaire showed significant improvement, and the latency and sleep quantity also showed significant increases. The results indicate that Pilates is an accessible, interesting exercise program that can generate important changes in middle age.

Teixeira Costa, H.J., Abelairas-Gomez, C., Arufe-Giráldez, V., Pazos Couto, J.M., & Barcala-Furelos, R. (2015). Influence of a physical education plan on psychomotor development profiles of preschool children. J. Hum. Sport Exerc.,10(1),. This study aimed to investigate the influence of structured physical education on the psychomotor development of 3 to 5 year-old preschool children. The sample consisted of 324 students of both sexes (3 to 5 year-old) from 9 public kindergarten classes in Porto, Portugal. A battery of psychomotor tests (pre-test) was used to assess the students' psychomotor development profiles. The sample was divided in 2 groups: an experimental group (162 students) and a control group (162 students). Physical Education (PE) teachers used a structured 24-week PE plan in the experimental group. After the plan completion, the same battery of tests (post-test) was run on both groups.The outcome was that both groups grew their psychomotor profiles; however this growth was always statistically higher in the experimental group (at all ages and in all variables analysed p < 0.001 - Figure 3 and Table 1, 2). There were no significant deviations related to the gender (p>0.05). Structured physical education is important for preschool children's psychomotor development. Physical activity impact on children's interaction with the outside world was proved, through their overall development motivated by the structured physical education lessons.

Introducción: Las TIC están presentes en muchos hogares estableciendo cambios en la comunicación social y estilo de vida. En el año 2020 se ha declarado en España el estado de alarma con un importante periodo de confinamiento debido a la aparición de una nueva pandemia mundial COVID-19. A través de este trabajo se realiza una radiografía del equipamiento y uso de las TIC en los hogares españoles con niños menores de 12 años durante el periodo de confinamiento y cómo ese tiempo y las TIC han influido en los hábitos sociales de los niños, su estilo de vida y nivel de actividad física. Metodología: Se realizó una investigación cuantitativa con un diseño no experimental, de carácter descriptivo, comparativo y correlacional, con una única medición en un solo grupo. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 837 niños españoles menores de 12 años. Resultados: Se confirma un número importante de dispositivos electrónicos en los hogares, tiempos de uso diferentes para cada uno y la existencia de diversas correlaciones entre TIC y hábitos sociales y de estilo de vida de los niños. Discusión: Otros trabajos confirman valores similares de dispositivos electrónicos en los hogares, así como el sobreuso de algunos de ellos en detrimento de la actividad física. Conclusiones: El periodo de confinamiento ha provocado cambios notables en el estilo de vida de los niños y sus hábitos sociales. La presencia de un mayor o menor número de TIC en el hogar y su uso puede influir en otras actividades realizadas por los niños.