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Waist circumference as a mediator of biological maturation effect on the motor coordination in children
Leonardo G O Luz1, André Seabra2, Cristina Padez3
1Laboratório de Cineantropometria, Atividade Física e Promoção da Saúde (Lacaps), Universidade Federal de Alagoas (Ufal), Arapiraca, AL, Brasil; Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
Insights
Biological maturation impacts motor coordination in 8-year-old boys, with waist circumference mediating this relationship, particularly in balance tasks. Further research on females and other age groups is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric endocrinology
- Human motor development
- Childhood obesity
Background:
- Biological maturation significantly influences physical development in children.
- Understanding the interplay between maturation, anthropometry, and motor skills is crucial for pediatric health.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the mediating role of anthropometric factors in the maturation-motor performance relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between biological maturation and motor coordination in 8-year-old boys.
- To determine if anthropometric measurements mediate the relationship between biological maturation and motor coordination test scores.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 73 eight-year-old boys was assessed for anthropometric data (height, weight, BMI, fat mass, etc.) and biological maturation (percentage of predicted mature stature).
- Motor coordination was evaluated using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK).
- Partial correlations and causal mediation analysis were employed, controlling for chronological age.
Main Results:
- Height, body mass, waist circumference, and fat mass showed inverse correlations with motor coordination.
- Biological maturation was significantly linked to backward walking balance (r=-0.34).
- Waist circumference fully mediated the association between biological maturation and backward walking balance (77% mediation).
Conclusions:
- Biological maturation is associated with motor coordination performance in young boys, specifically impacting balance.
- Waist circumference acts as a significant mediator in this relationship.
- Future studies should explore these associations in female children and across different age ranges.
Objective:
The present study aimed to: 1) examine the association of biological maturation effect on children's performance at a motor coordination battery and 2) to assess whether the association between biological maturation and scores obtained in motor coordination tests is mediated by some anthropometric measurement.
Methods:
The convenience sample consisted of 73 male children aged 8 years old. Anthropometric data considered the height, body mass, sitting height, waist circumference, body mass index, fat mass and fat-free mass estimates. Biological maturation was assessed by the percentage of the predicted mature stature. Motor coordination was tested by the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder. A partial correlation between anthropometric measurements, z-score of maturation and the motor coordination tests were performed, controlling for chronological age. Finally, causal mediation analysis was performed.
Results:
Height, body mass, waist circumference and fat mass showed a slight to moderate inverse correlation with motor coordination. Biological maturation was significantly associated with the balance test with backward walking (r=-0.34). Total mediation of the waist circumference was identified in the association between biological maturation and balance test with backward walking (77%).
Conclusions:
We identified an association between biological maturation and KTK test performance in male children and also verified that there is mediation of waist circumference. It is recommended that studies be carried out with female individuals and at other age ranges.
