The Relationship between Physical Activity and Motor Competence of Foundation Phase Children in Wales during the School Day.

Early childhood is a crucial time for children to develop their fundamental motor skills (FMS), serving as a foundation for engagement in lifelong physical activity (PA). With increasing concerns over the declining levels of PA and motor competence (MC), the aim of this study was to explore the predictors of PA in children in a play-based curriculum. A secondary purpose was to explore levels of PA and MC during the school day.

MiniMovers: An Initial Pilot and Feasibility Study to Investigate the Impact of a Mobile Application on Children's Motor Skills and Parent Support for Physical Development.

The MiniMovers (MM) APP combines motor development theory with creativity expertise and has been designed to provide parents with developmentally appropriate activities to support children's motor skills. This study investigates how MiniMovers activities enabled parents to support their children's physical development. Families participated in an 8-week MM programme of activities from the MM APP (Mini, Mighty and Mega levels), with pre- and post-intervention data collected using multiple tools (e.

The Association of Physical Competence With Psychological Response Among Young Athletes at Time of Return to Sport After ACL Reconstruction.

Background: The traditional index of return-to-sport (RTS) readiness after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is the achievement of physical competence criteria. Emerging research indicates that psychological response and self-perceptions of physical competence may be critical mechanisms for successful RTS among young athletes.

Hypothesis: Young athletes with higher actual physical competence (APC) and perceived physical competence (PPC) will demonstrate a more positive psychological response at the time of RTS after ACLR.

SKIPping With PALS: Exploring Parental Engagement in a Motor Intervention for Their Preschool Children.

: The purpose of this study was to explore how parent involvement influenced the effectiveness of a movement intervention targeting gross motor skills and physical activity behavior in preschool-aged boys and girls. : Parents received training at monthly school-based sessions and online to implement the movement intervention once per month at school and once per week at home across 6 months ( 104; = 48.30 months,  = 6.

An Examination of Motor Competence Profiles in Preschool Children: A Latent Profile Analysis.

: Identifying profiles of preschoolers' motor competence (MC) is essential for providing accurate and targeted intervention. However, little is known regarding children's MC profiles, more specifically how skills may present in unique clusters. The purposes of the study were to explore MC profiles of U.

Relationship Between Fundamental Motor Skill Competence, Perceived Physical Competence and Free-Play Physical Activity in Children.

: This study examined the extent to which fundamental motor skill competence (FMSC; locomotor and object control skill competence) and perceived physical competence (PPC) predicted physical activity levels and sedentary behaviors during free-play time at preschool. : A total of 72 children (girls = 33, boys = 39; = 4.38, = .

Correction to: Motor Competence Levels and Developmental Delay in Early Childhood: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in the USA.

Page 1, Abstract, Results, sentence 1: The following sentence, which previously read.

Motor Competence Levels and Developmental Delay in Early Childhood: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study Conducted in the USA.

Background And Objectives: Developmental delay in motor competence may limit a child's ability to successfully participate in structured and informal learning/social opportunities that are critical to holistic development. Current motor competence levels in the USA are relatively unknown. The purposes of this study were to explore motor competence levels of US children aged 3-6 years, report percentages of children demonstrating developmental delay, and investigate both within and across childcare site predictors of motor competence, including sex, race, geographic region, socioeconomic status, and body mass index percentile classification.

Motor competence and health-related fitness in children: A cross-cultural comparison between Portugal and the United States.

Background: Motor competence and health-related fitness are important components for the development and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle in children. This study examined cross-cultural performances on motor competence and health-related fitness between Portuguese and U.S.

Participation in structured programming may prevent unhealthy weight gain during the summer in school-aged children from low-income neighbourhoods: feasibility, fidelity and preliminary efficacy findings from the Camp NERF study.

Objective: Evaluate the feasibility, fidelity and preliminary efficacy of Camp NERF to prevent unhealthy weight gain and promote healthy behaviours in children during the summer.

Design: Camp NERF was an 8-week, multicomponent, theory-based programme coupled with the US Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program. Twelve eligible elementary-school sites were randomized to one of three treatment groups: (i) Active Control (non-nutrition, -physical activity (PA), -mental health); (ii) Standard Care (nutrition and PA); or (iii) Enhanced Care (nutrition and PA, plus cognitive behavioural techniques) programming.

Feasibility and acceptability of technology-based caregiver engagement strategies delivered in a summertime childhood obesity prevention intervention: results from an internal pilot of the Camp NERF (Nutrition, Education, Recreation, and Fitness) study.

Background: The most efficacious childhood obesity prevention interventions have involved caregivers directly or indirectly. Due to the high reliance on technology, research examining technological intervention approaches is warranted, particularly during the summer when parents may be more difficult to engage and the risk for excess weight gain among children is high.

Methods: The feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component childhood obesity prevention intervention incorporating a caregiver component utilizing technology-based approaches-texting and social media-was explored.

SKIPing With Head Start Teachers: Influence of T-SKIP on Object-Control Skills.

Purpose: Children from disadvantaged settings are at risk for delays in their object-control (OC) skills. Fundamental motor skill interventions, such as the Successful Kinesthetic Instruction for Preschoolers (SKIP) Program, are highly successful when led by motor development experts. However, few preschools employ such experts.

Camp NERF: methods of a theory-based nutrition education recreation and fitness program aimed at preventing unhealthy weight gain in underserved elementary children during summer months.

Background: The number of obese children in the US remains high, which is problematic due to the mental, physical, and academic effects of obesity on child health. Data indicate that school-age children, particularly underserved children, experience unhealthy gains in BMI at a rate nearly twice as fast during the summer months. Few efforts have been directed at implementing evidence-based programming to prevent excess weight gain during the summer recess.

The effectiveness of a community-based fundamental motor skill intervention in children aged 3-8 years: Results of the "Multimove for Kids" project.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a 30-week fundamental motor skill program in typically developing young children and to investigate possible sex differences.

Design: A multicenter quasi experimental design was set up for this study which involved 992 children aged 3-8 years.

Methods: All participants received their typical Physical Education curriculum and habitual movement activities.

Comparison of performance on process- and product-oriented assessments of fundamental motor skills across childhood.

Process-oriented motor competence (MC) assessments evaluate how a movement is performed. Product-oriented assessments evaluate the outcome of a movement. Determining the concurrent validity of process and product assessments is important to address the predictive utility of motor competence for health.

Assessing fundamental motor skills in Belgian children aged 3-8 years highlights differences to US reference sample.

Aim: This study aimed to understand the fundamental motor skills (FMS) of Belgian children using the process-oriented Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition (TGMD-2) and to investigate the suitability of using the United States (USA) test norms in Belgium.

Methods: FMS were assessed using the TGMD-2. Gender, age and motor performance were examined in 1614 Belgian children aged 3-8 years (52.

Dynamic relationships between motor skill competence and health-related fitness in youth.

This cross-sectional study examined associations among motor skill competence (MSC) and health-related fitness (HRF) in youth. A convenient sample of 253 boys and 203 girls (aged 4-13 years) participated in the study. Associations among measures of MSC (throwing and kicking speed and standing long jump distance) and a composite measure of HRF (push-ups, curl-ups, grip strength and PACER test) across five age groups (4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13 yrs.

Age and gender differences in adolescent and adult overarm throwing.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine age and gender differences in throwing performance across an underexplored portion of the lifespan: middle adolescents (14-17 years old), young adults (18-25 years old), and adults (35-55 years old).

Method: Throwing performance was assessed using the body component levels from Roberton's developmental sequences for force and ball velocity that were recorded by a radar gun. Participants in each age group performed between 5 to 10 forceful overhand throws toward a target approximately 15m to 20m from the thrower.

Gender differences in fundamental motor skill development in disadvantaged preschoolers from two geographical regions.

This study examined the influence of gender and region on object control (OC) and locomotor skill development. Participants were 275 midwestern African American and 194 southwestern Hispanic preschool children who were disadvantaged. All were evaluated on the Test of Gross MotorDevelopment-2 (Ulrich, 2000).

Instructional climates in preschool children who are at-risk. Part II: perceived physical competence.

In Part II of this study, we examined the effect of two 9-week instructional climates (low-autonomy [LA] and mastery motivational climate [MMC]) on perceived physical competence (PPC) in preschoolers (N = 117). Participants were randomly assigned to an LA, MMC, or comparison group. PPC was assessed by a pretest, posttest, and retention test with the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance.

Instructional climates in preschool children who are at-risk. Part I: object-control skill development.

Part I of this study examined the effect of two 9-week instructional climates (low autonomy [LA] and mastery motivational climate [MMC]) on object-control (OC) skill development in preschoolers (N = 117). Participants were randomly assigned to an LA, MMC, or comparison group. OC skills were assessed at pretest, posttest, and retention test with the Test of Gross Motor Development-2nd Edition.

Gender differences in throwing form of children ages 6-8 years during a throwing game.

The study purposes were to describe throwing form and gender differences before and after instruction during a game. Children's (ages 6-8, n = 105) throwing form was assessed while they played a game (snowball) using the Body Component Assessment for Throwing in Games to determine the modal developmental levels for the step, trunk, and forearm components. Each student received four 30-min sessions of throwing instruction.

Influence of critical cues and task constraints on overarm throwing performance in elementary age children.

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of critical cues and task constraints on body-component levels and maximum ball velocity. 81 children (M age = 97.8 mo.

Keeping all children healthy: challenges to leading an active lifestyle for preschool children qualifying for at-risk programs.

This study examined contextual factors associated with physical activity of urban African American preschoolers (N = 59). Qualitative research methodologies utilized data from home visits, caregiver and child interviews, field notes, and document collection. The primary finding suggested, "In underserved communities fundamental barriers exist that obstruct young children's ability to be physically active.

Influence of a motor skill intervention on fundamental motor skill development of disadvantaged preschool children.

The influence of a 12-week (24, 45-min motor sessions) motor skill intervention on fundamental motor skill (FMS) development of disadvantaged preschools was examined. Pre-and postintervention measures of the object control (OC) and locomotor subscales of the Test of Gross Motor Development were obtained for both groups. Prior to the intervention, developmental delays in FMS were reported.