Secular trends in motor performance of children and adolescents between 2010 and 2020

Abstract

Over the last few years, numerous studies have proclaimed a negative trend in the motor performance of children and adolescents. Drawing from the online Fitness Olympiad database, the data of 8239 children and adolescents from Germany were analyzed by age, sex, and motor performance measured using the Dordel–Koch–test (DKT). Results were compared from the 2010‐2012 and 2018‐2020 cohorts. The results of the 2010‐2012 and 2018‐2020 cohorts were then compared regarding the general and sex‐specific changes in the development of motor performance. A negative trend was shown for three of five motor performance test items, with decreases of 0.9%‐4.8% in abdominal and leg strength and coordination under time pressure, respectively, being found. In contrast, endurance improved by 0.4% and arm and trunk muscle strength by 3.1%. The negative development can be seen as a correlate of exercise deficit disorder (EDD) due to increasing sedentarism. Therefore, the correlation between motor performance and health indicates a clear motivation to appropriately promote the main forms of motor activity.

Development of a German Physical Literacy Assessment for Children in the Context of Health Promotion—An Explorative Approach

“…The 6 min run correlates with VO 2 max; the assessment of additional parameters, e.g., heart rate for more precise results, did not take place. A detailed description of the complete test battery, as well as background information on the definition of motor performance, is available in the literature [ 38 , 52 ].…”

Bewegungsmangel und mögliche gesundheitliche Auswirkungen der Covid-19-Pandemie auf Kinder und Jugendliche

“…Generell zeichneten sich aber in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten ein deutlicher Rückgang von Bewegung und die Zunahme vermeidbarer Sitzzeiten ab. Zusätzlich wurde in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten ein signifikanter Rückgang der körperlichen Aktivität sowie der kardiovaskulären und motorischen Fitness von Kindern beobachtet (Schlag et al 2021).…”

“…Zusätzlich wurde in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten ein signifikanter Rückgang der körperlichen Aktivität sowie der kardiovaskulären und motorischen Fitness von Kindern beobachtet (Schlag et al. 2021 ).…”

Motor performance before, during and after COVID-19 and the role of socioeconomic background: A 10-year cohort study of 68,996 third grade children

“…Another critical aspect to consider when examining the impact of the pandemic on children's motor development is the option of a secular trend, i.e., a long-term change in children's motor performance levels over a longer period of years. The results of previous studies vary widely and include negative, positive, as well as stagnating trends in motor performance over the past several years (Fühner et al, 2021;Knaier et al, 2023;Schlag et al, 2021;Spengler et al, 2017;Tomkinson et al, 2021;Tomkinson et al, 2003). Although there is no clear pattern of secular trends in motor development, an important consensus among these studies is that temporal trends for individual Motor Domains appear to be speci c and should be considered as such (Fühner et al, 2021).…”