Childhood motor performance is increased by participation in organized sport: the CHAMPS Study-DK

Abstract

Evidence suggests that motor performance in children is declining globally. We tested whether participation in organized sport is associated with motor performance, and estimate the effect of 30 months participation in organized sport on motor performance. Study participants were 1067 primary school students, enrolled in the Danish Childhood Health, Activity, and Motor Performance School study. Participation in organized sport was reported via text messaging. Coordination-related motor performance composite, fitness-related motor performance composite, and total motor performance composite were calculated. Data were analyzed using Generalized Estimating Equations. Participation in organized sport was positively associated with motor performance (all composites) in models that did and did not control for baseline motor performance. For models that did not control for baseline motor performance, this equated to 2–6% increases in motor performance per weekly sport session; for models that did control for baseline motor performance, this equated to 1–5% increases in motor performance per weekly sport session. Positive associations between participation in organized sport and motor performance identify participation in organized sport as a way to improve motor performance in children. These results might provide the basis to determine whether participation in organized sport could be beneficial for children with developmental movement disorders.

Gaelic4Girls—The Effectiveness of a 10-Week Multicomponent Community Sports-Based Physical Activity Intervention for 8 to 12-Year-Old Girls

“…Recent findings from the Vallence et al [82] CHAMPS Study-DK complement the current study's findings, showing that weekly participation in organised sport over a 30 month period from 1067 Danish school-aged children (6 to 12 years) is positively associated with motor performance across the coordination fitness spectrum. Further to this, Bryant et al [83] found that a 1 day per week PE intervention, focusing on FMS, resulted in the improvement of motor skills in children (mean age ± SD = 8.3 ± 0.4 years) within the intervention group (n = 82) relative to children in the control group (n = 83).…”

Recommendations for psychology and youth sports. A consensus document

“…La psicología deportiva es una disciplina de carácter interconductual, que asesora al deportista y gestiona dicho asesoramiento, trabajando de forma continuada durante toda la temporada 6 . Estudia las variables psicológicas de iniciación deportiva en los niños, trabajando directamente con los deportistas, solucionando problemas, controlando la ansiedad y los miedos, la concentración y el entorno deportivo allí donde aparecen las respuestas emocionales 3,7 .…”

“…Especialmente en niños y jóvenes, la psicología deportiva desarrolla el potencial del joven 6 . En este contexto, el psicólogo deportivo no es un psicólogo que trabaja en deporte, sino que es un profesional que aplica sus profundos conocimientos científicos de la psicología al estudio del comportamiento humano [9][10][11] .…”

“…El único modo de que sigan naciendo niños con síndrome de Down es que se visualice su normalización (comunicación personal de I. Alli). Desde una perspectiva más amplia se puede asegurar que el rendimiento motor de la infancia aumenta con la participación en el deporte organizado, al estilo del estudio CHAMPS-DK, que podría ser beneficiosa para los niños con trastornos del desarrollo del movimiento 25,26 . Es totalmente recomendable que las personas que presentan algún tipo de discapacidad realicen deporte, porque solo existen beneficios en esta relación 27,28 .…”

Nível de desempenho motor em escolares brasileiros: uma revisão integrativa

“…O Desempenho Motor (DM) pode ser definido como a combinação de habilidades motoras fundamentais e os seus componentes relacionados à aptidão físico-motora (VALLENCE et al, 2019). Sabe-se que o DM é importante para o aprimoramento físico, psíquico e social tanto de crianças quanto de adolescentes, permitindo que desenvolvam um estilo de vida mais ativo quando adultos, sendo complacente para a prática de atividades físicas diversas e o desenvolvimento de habilidades esportivas específicas.…”