Longitudinal Multiple Relations of Physical Education Participation, School Grade, Age, and Sex With Cardiorespiratory Fitness Changes in Children: A Mediator Role of Changes in Body Composition

Abstract

To verify the multiple relations of physical education participation, school grade, age, and sex with longitudinal cardiorespiratory fitness changes in children and to identify if there is a mediator role of longitudinal body composition changes in these relations. Methodology: This is a longitudinal study, carried out from March to November of 2019, with children from 6 to 12 years old, 150 boys and 80 girls. Children were classified according to a cut point of 70% of participation in physical education classes (>70%= High PE x <70%=Low PE). Outcomes were Body Composition (BC): body mass index, skinfolds, waist to height ratio, and Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Individual delta variation (D%), Cohens D, Bonferroni test, generalized estimative equations (GEE), and structural equations model (SEM) were estimated. Results: The results show a general boy’s and girl’s increasing in BC variables and a decrease in CRF at follow-up which more strength in the Low PE group compared to the High PE group. The SEM model showed that Children in the High PE group have the most decrease in BC variables and it is a role to relations between the High PE group with increasing in CRF. Conclusions: High PE group was associated with a D%CRF increase, it is an indirect association mediated by D% BC reduction. The SEM presents children that reduce BC also increasing CRF and vice-versa. The present study appoints that High PE participation is important to minimize the negative longitudinal effects of fatness on CRF.

Longitudinal 5-year-tracking of isometric Plank test strength in children and adolescents: A pre and post-COVID-19 social distancing study

“…From this body of evidence, we understand that lifestyle, social aspects, age, and sex have a higher impact on the strength of children over time is diverse [6,8,14,[22][23][24][41][42][43] These include the variability in pandemic impact across different communities and regions, affected by factors such as lockdown measures, access to online education and physical activities, socioeconomic status, and healthcare infrastructure [6,17,19,43,44]. Psychological effects, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, can impact motivation and participation in physical activities, affecting muscular strength development [41,[45][46][47].…”

“…The school's gymnasium was under renovation, and the number of students at the school increased by 30% compared to 2018. It is worth mention that this is a school located in a vulnerable and low-income area [6,11,14,17,18]. The plank test is a measure created and adapted in the context of Brazilian physical education to address such demand [18].…”

“…As we approach 2023, it has become essential to assess the physical tness of children and adolescents in order to monitor their musculoskeletal health and physical performance. This monitoring is crucial for planning interventions that aim to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic, such as low levels of cardiometabolic health and musculoskeletal strength in this age group [11,[14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

“…This test involves maintaining an isometric contraction of the core and hip muscles while supporting the body on palms (or elbows) and feet. It could serve as a preparatory evaluation for children transitioning to early elementary school, especially if they are unfamiliar with traditional sit-up tests [18].Previous studies have shown that the plank test is reliable and reproducible, and core isometric strength correlates with dynamic abdominal strength and overall physical tness [18,[28][29][30][31].However, there is still limited evidence on the longitudinal measurement of the plank test in children in transition to adolescence considering possible longitudinal associations and impacts from COVID-19 pandemic period [6, 18,32], particularly in comparing and associating isometric strength levels before and after the pandemic to other physical capacities, despite the existence of a large body of evidence on physical tness in literature [6,14,15,[17][18][19][33][34][35] Considering the present perspectives, the aim of this study is to compare the effects of plank strength levels over a 5-year period (2018 vs. 2023) considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents.…”

“…However, there is still limited evidence on the longitudinal measurement of the plank test in children in transition to adolescence considering possible longitudinal associations and impacts from COVID-19 pandemic period [6, 18,32], particularly in comparing and associating isometric strength levels before and after the pandemic to other physical capacities, despite the existence of a large body of evidence on physical tness in literature [6,14,15,[17][18][19][33][34][35] Considering the present perspectives, the aim of this study is to compare the effects of plank strength levels over a 5-year period (2018 vs. 2023) considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents.…”