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Prospective Association Patterns for the Physical Activity Intensity Spectrum With Body Mass Index and Lower Body
Eivind Aadland1, Einar Ylvisåker1, Kjersti Johannessen1
1Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Faculty of Education, Arts and Sports, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Sogndal,Norway.
Insights
Physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (SED) predict muscle strength in young children, but not body mass index (BMI). This study tracked PA and SED in children aged 3-5 years over four years.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Exercise Science
- Child Development
Background:
- Limited evidence exists on the prospective links between physical activity (PA), sedentary time (SED), body mass index (BMI), and muscle strength in young children.
- Early childhood is a critical period for establishing health behaviors and physical capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prospective associations of PA and SED with changes in BMI and lower body muscle strength (standing long jump) in children aged 3-5 years.
- To analyze these associations over 2- and 4-year follow-up periods.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 262 Norwegian children (50% girls) aged 3-5 years at baseline was followed for 2-4 years.
- Physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (SED) were measured using hip-worn accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X+).
- Multivariate pattern analysis examined associations between the PA intensity spectrum and changes in BMI and standing long jump.
Main Results:
- Significant prospective associations were found between the PA intensity spectrum and standing long jump at 2- and 4-year follow-ups.
- Sedentary time (SED) showed negative associations, while all physical activity (PA) intensities showed positive associations with muscle strength.
- No significant associations were observed between PA/SED and changes in body mass index (BMI).
Conclusions:
- Physical activity and sedentary time can predict future lower body muscle strength in early childhood.
- These behaviors do not appear to predict body mass index changes in this age group.
Background:
Limited evidence exists regarding prospective associations for physical activity (PA) and sedentary time (SED) with body mass index (BMI) and muscle strength in young children. We aimed to determine prospective associations for PA and SED with change in BMI and standing long jump over 2 and 4 years in children aged 3-5 years at baseline.
Methods:
A sample of 262 Norwegian children (50% girls) was followed from 2015 to 2017 and/or 2019. PA and SED (hip-worn ActiGraph GT3X+) were measured at baseline and BMI and standing long jump at baseline and at follow-ups. Multivariate pattern analysis was used to determine prospective associations between the triaxial PA intensity spectrum (0-99 to ≥15,000 counts per minute) and the change in outcomes.
Results:
We found significant prospective associations between the PA intensity spectrum and standing long jump at 2- (explained variance = 5.8%-7.7%) and 4-year (explained variance = 4.8%-5.6%) follow-ups. Associations were negative for SED and positive for all PA intensities. We found no associations between PA/SED and BMI.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that PA and SED can predict future lower body muscle strength but not BMI in early childhood.
