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Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
Published on: July 27, 2022
Is there any relationship between physical activity level and patterns, and physical performance in children?
Aurélie Blaes1, Georges Baquet, Claudine Fabre
1University of Lille Nord de France, Lille, France.
Summary
More active children aged 6-12 were not necessarily fitter. This study highlights the need for consistent measurement of physical activity (PA) and fitness in children to clarify their relationship.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Exercise Science
- Childhood Physical Activity Research
- Sports Medicine in Youth
Background:
- The assumed link between childhood physical activity (PA) and adult health is not well-defined in children.
- Previous research may have underestimated PA-child performance relationships due to measurement methods.
- Objective PA measurement using accelerometry is crucial for understanding habitual activity patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between physical activity levels and patterns, measured by accelerometry, and physical performance in young children.
- To investigate if higher physical activity correlates with better physical performance in children aged 6-12 years.
Main Methods:
- Eighty-six boys and 101 girls (aged 6-12 years) participated.
- Physical activity was objectively measured over 7 days using accelerometry with a 5-second epoch.
- Physical performance was assessed using a battery of EUROFIT tests, including anthropometrics, jump tests, and endurance assessments.
Main Results:
- No significant relationship was found between overall physical activity and physical performance in the study cohort.
- In boys, higher levels of vigorous and very high physical activity were negatively associated with body fatness.
- Conversely, light physical activity in boys showed a positive association with body fatness.
Conclusions:
- Children aged 6-12 who were more physically active did not demonstrate superior physical fitness.
- The findings underscore the importance of standardized methodologies for measuring PA, body composition, and fitness in pediatric research.
- Further research is needed to clarify the complex interplay between PA, body composition, and performance in children.
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