Does current behaviour predict the course of children's physical fitness?

Abstract

The secular trend of reduced physical fitness (PF) leads to increased health risks. The aim of the present paper is to analyse various current factors that affect health behaviour with respect to the course of PF over 2 years. A path analysis combined with a latent growth curve analysis was based on a study that was conducted between June 2008 and June 2010 with 145 primary German school children (52.1% male, average age at baseline 7.95 years ± 0.95). PF was tested with the German Motor Test 6-18. For the mean PF and the course of PF, direct and indirect influences were shown over three levels, including migration background on the first level and physical activity (PA) on the second level. Body mass index (BMI) impacted the mean PF but not the course of PF. The influence of sedentary behaviour on the mean PF was diminished (compared to bivariate analysis) due to its common variance mainly with BMI. PA affected not only current PF in children but also the course of PF (a(intercept) = .28, P = .001; a(slope) = .27, P = .21). Consequently, preventive measures should focus on early adoption and maintenance of PA.

Long‐term effect of migration background on the development of physical fitness among primary school children

“…Nevertheless, our results reveal that there seems a gap of strength and endurance capacities of children with migration background compared to their classmates without migration background which might be a potential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and orthopedic problems later on. Therefore, according to Greier and Richelmann and Augste et al preventive and health promoting measures should be implemented as early as possible, with a special focus on children with migration background. However, to implement effective interventions it seems important to address specific factors influencing physical activity and sedentary behavior among ethnic minority groups living in Europe …”

“…14 Migration background was defined as present if they or at least one of their parents were born in a foreign country. 8 In a recent study by Hilpert et al 15 among a cohort of about 1000 German first graders with a median age of 7 years, children with a low socioeconomic status and migration background were more likely to exhibit unfavorable health behavior patterns, higher BMI scores, and poorer physical fitness. In addition, studies reported a significant association between migration background and an elevated media use among children and adolescents.…”

“…In their longitudinal study between 2008 and 2010 including 145 German primary school children, Augste et al showed that physical activity has a direct positive influence on physical fitness. Physical fitness of school children partly depends on so‐called modifiable factors as, for example, weight status, electronic media use, sport club participation, and on so‐called non‐modifiable factors as, for example, sex, socioeconomic status, or migration background .…”

“…Physical fitness of school children partly depends on so‐called modifiable factors as, for example, weight status, electronic media use, sport club participation, and on so‐called non‐modifiable factors as, for example, sex, socioeconomic status, or migration background . Migration background was defined as present if they or at least one of their parents were born in a foreign country . In a recent study by Hilpert et al among a cohort of about 1000 German first graders with a median age of 7 years, children with a low socioeconomic status and migration background were more likely to exhibit unfavorable health behavior patterns, higher BMI scores, and poorer physical fitness.…”

“…12 Therefore, an early prevention of excess weight gain, low physical activity, and low physical fitness in young ages, for example during preschool or primary school, seems of utmost importance as physical activity is favorably associated with physical, psychological/social, and cognitive health indicators of children 5-17 years old. 13 In their longitudinal study between 2008 and 2010 including 145 German primary school children, Augste et al 8 showed that physical activity has a direct positive influence on physical fitness. Physical fitness of school children partly depends on so-called modifiable factors as, for example, weight status, electronic media use, sport club participation, and on so-called non-modifiable factors as, for example, sex, socioeconomic status, or migration background.…”