Effect of Motor Competence and Health-Related Fitness in the Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors
André Pombo1,2,3, Rita Cordovil1, Luis Paulo Rodrigues3,4,5
1Universidade de Lisboa.
Insights
Motor competence (MC) in children is a significant predictor of metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors. Improving MC may positively influence children's cardiometabolic health and lifelong physical activity habits.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Exercise Science
- Cardiometabolic Risk
Background:
- Increasing sedentary behaviors in children are linked to metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors.
- Motor competence (MC) development influences lifelong physical activity, potentially impacting cardiometabolic health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between motor competence and metabolic syndrome risk factors in children.
- To determine if MC is a significant predictor of MetS in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Seventy children (mean age 7.49 years) were assessed for motor competence, cardiovascular fitness, and upper body strength.
- Metabolic syndrome components (hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, abdominal obesity, HDL cholesterol, fasting glucose) were measured.
- Multiple regression analysis was used to assess MC's predictive role in MetS.
Main Results:
- Motor competence was identified as a significant predictor of metabolic syndrome (p < .05).
- The model including MC explained 7.1% of the variance in MetS.
- Health-related fitness components also contributed to the model.
Conclusions:
- Motor competence appears to play a positive role in children's health markers related to metabolic syndrome.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the impact of MC on pediatric cardiometabolic health.
Abstract:
Purpose: In the last decades we have seen an increase in sedentary behaviors and a decrease in physical activity in children when compared to past generations. This lifestyle is commonly associated with the development of clustering risk factors that define metabolic syndrome (MetS). Knowing that motor competence (MC) development can influence lifelong physical activity habits, it is reasonable to assume that children's MC will directly link to clustered cardiometabolic health outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of MC in MetS risk factors. Methods: Seventy children with a mean age of 7.49 (SD = 1.28) years were evaluated on motor competence (MCA-Motor Competence Assessment instrument), cardiovascular fitness (PACER test), upper body strength (UBS; handgrip), and the components of MetS, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, abdominal obesity, low concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high fasting blood glucose. The composite value of MetS was calculated according to Burns et al. (2017). Multiple standard regressions were performed to explore the effect of different variables on MetS. Motor competence and health-related fitness (cardiovascular fitness and relative upper body strength) were used as independent variables (predictors) and MetS as dependent variable. Results: Overall, the results showed that motor competence (β = -.072; p < .05) is a significant predictor and this model explained 7,1% of the variance in MetS. Conclusion: Although more studies are needed, our results indicate that MC seems to have a positive role in children's health markers.
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