Sex differences in 3- to 5-year-old children's motor competence: A pooled cross-sectional analysis of 6241 children.

There is some, albeit inconsistent, evidence supporting sex differences in preschoolers' motor competence (MC), with these observations not uniform when analyzed by age, and cultural groups. Thus, this study examined sex differences across ages in 3- to 5-year-old children's MC. A cross-country pooled sample of 6241 children aged 3-5 years (49.

The evolution of reproductive strategies in turtles.

Optimal egg size theory assumes that changes in the egg and clutch are driven by selection, resulting in adjustments for the largest possible production of offspring with the highest fitness. Evidence supports the idea that large-bodied turtles tend to produce larger clutches with small and round eggs, while smaller species produce small clutches with large and elongated eggs. Our goals were to investigate whether egg and clutch size follow the predictions of egg size theory, if there are convergent reproductive strategies, and identify ecological factors that influence clutch and egg traits across all clades of living turtles.

How does curve sprint evolve across different age categories in soccer players?

Research has shown that soccer players regularly execute curved sprints during matches. The purpose of this study was to determine the age-related effects on curve sprint (CS) performance to both sides, asymmetry, and association with linear sprint (LS). Eighty-four soccer players (aged 16.

The influence of anthropometric variables, body composition, propulsive force and maturation on 50m freestyle swimming performance in junior swimmers: An allometric approach.

The purpose of the current article was to use allometric models to identify the best body size descriptors and other anthropometric variables, body composition, and offset maturity that might be associated with the youngsters' 50m personal-best (PB) swim speeds (m·s). Eighty-five competitive swimmers (male, n=50; 13.5±1.

Anthropometric variables, propulsive force and biological maturation: A mediation analysis in young swimmers.

Youth swimming performance may be influenced by anthropometric and body composition factors during growth. (PFA) is highly related to swimming performance as 85-90% of the propulsive power comes from the arms. The current study analyzed the mediating effect of biological maturation on the relationship between anthropometric variables and body composition with PFA in young swimmers.

Is motor competence associated with the risk of central obesity in preschoolers?

Objectives: To investigate the association between motor competence (MC) and central obesity in preschool children.

Methods: The sample comprised of 472 children aged 3 to 5 years (4.58 ± 0.

Are there gross motor coordination spurts during mid-childhood?

Objectives: The aims of this study were (1) to identify the timing of the mid-growth spurt (MGS) in stature in children and (2) to identify gross motor coordination (GMC) spurts when aligned by the age of attainment of the MGS (aMGS).

Methods: Stature, weight, and GMC were measured in 245 Portuguese children followed annually from 6 to 10 years. GMC was assessed and to estimate children's MGS in stature as well as GMC spurts in each of the four tests aligned by aMGS, we used a nonsmoothed polynomial methodology.

Familial resemblance in gross motor coordination. The Peruvian Sibling Study on Growth and Health.

Background: The development of gross motor coordination (GMC) is governed by biological and environmental factors whose effect sizes are still unclear.

Aim: To investigate sibling resemblance in GMC, as well as biological and environmental correlates of GMC among Peruvian children.

Materials And Methods: The sample comprised 1256 biological siblings (6-15 years old), from three geographical areas of Peru.

Association between body mass index and individual characteristics and the school context: a multilevel study with Portuguese children.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the association between individual and school context characteristics with the body mass index of Portuguese children.

Methods: The sample comprised 1641 children (847 boys) aged 6-10 years from the North and Central regions of Portugal. Regarding the individual characteristics, age, gender, city of residence, levels of physical activity, and physical fitness were assessed.

Tracking of gross motor coordination in Portuguese children.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the tracking of gross motor coordination (GMC) and to profile children at 6 years of age who consistently showed higher stability patterns in different levels of GMC. The participants were 245 children (123 boys and 122 girls) who were assessed longitudinally from 6 to 9 years of age. GMC was assessed using the Korperkoordinationtest fur Kinder (KTK) test battery.

Comparison of motor competence levels on two assessments across childhood.

This study compared performances and motor delay classifications for the Test of Gross Motor Development-2nd edition (TGMD-2) and the Körperkoordinationstest Für Kinder (KTK) in a sample of 424 healthy children (47% girls) between 5 and 10 years of age. Low-to-moderate correlations (r range = 0.34-0.

Association between sports participation, motor competence and weight status: A longitudinal study.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate if baseline motor competence, weight status and sports participation in early childhood predict sports participation two years later.

Design: longitudinal study.

Methods: In 2010, motor competence (object control and locomotor skills), weight status and sports participation were assessed in 292 children between three and five years-of-age.