Male Endurance Athletes: Examination of Energy and Carbohydrate Availability and Hormone Responses.

Background: This study investigated the effects of decreased energy availability (EA) and carbohydrate availability (CA) on reproductive and metabolic hormones in male endurance-trained athletes.

Methods: Thirteen athletes (age: 26.08 ± 4.

Using 2 Versions of the Test of Gross Motor Development to Classify and Screen Young Children's Motor Skills: A Comparison Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine comparability between 2 editions of the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-second and TGMD-third edition) on (1) how children's motor skills were categorized as average or below average, and (2) how children are screened for being at-risk for motor delay or with delayed motor skills.

Methods: Participants were 226 children (Mage = 53.4 mo, 125 boys).

Developmental Patterns of Objectively Measured Motor Competence and Musculoskeletal Fitness among Finnish Adolescents.

Purpose: To examine how development of motor competence (locomotor, object control, stability) and development of musculoskeletal fitness (upper body and abdominal) are related during adolescence, in a large sample of Finnish youth over four years.

Methods: Study participants were students (n = 1147; 11.27[±0.

The associations between organized sport participation and physical fitness and weight status development during adolescence.

Objectives: We are yet to understand how continuous participation in organized sports, dropout from organized sports, or complete non-participation affect adolescents' trajectories of physical fitness and body mass index (BMI). Thus, the aim was to examine longitudinal changes in cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, and BMI between adolescents 1) who continued or started organized sport participation, 2) who dropped out, and 3) who never participated in organized sport or dropped out before adolescence.

Design: Longitudinal observational study.

Associations of obesity, movement behaviors, and socioeconomic status with fundamental movement skills in children: Results from the REACT project.

Objective: To investigate the relationship of biological characteristics (age, sex, and obesity), movement behaviors (physical activity and sedentary time), and family socioeconomic status with fundamental movement skills (FMS) in primary school children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study sampled 1014 children (537 girls) aged 6 to 10 years from 25 primary schools in Matosinhos, north of Portugal. Five object control skills (dribbling, kicking, catching, throwing, and underarm rolling) were assessed with a categorical scale using the Meu Educativo® platform.

A multivariate multilevel approach to unravel the associations between individual and school factors on children's motor performance in the REACT project.

Objective: The aim was to (1) estimate the relationship between physical fitness (PF) and object control fundamental movement skills (FMS), (2) identify child characteristics that relate with PF and FMS, and (3) examine associations between the school environment, PF, and FMS.

Methods: The sample included 1014 Portuguese children aged 6-10 years from the REACT project. PF was assessed via running speed, shuttle run, standing long jump, handgrip, and the PACER test.

Performance Metrics From Product-Oriented Measures of Fundamental Motor Skills-A Comparison and Developmental Perspective.

This study (a) examined the associations among different performance metrics derived from different strategies (i.e., maximum and average scores) and trials from product-oriented measures of motor skills, and (b) explored how different performance metrics from product-oriented assessments of motor skills change in young children with typical development.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of physical activity interventions to increase elementary children's motor competence: a comprehensive school physical activity program perspective.

Background: Regular participation in physical activity (PA) benefits children's health and well-being and protects against the development of unhealthy body weight. A key factor in children's PA participation is their motor competence (MC). The comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) framework offers a way to classify existing PA interventions that have included children's MC development and understand the potential avenues for supporting children's MC.

Individual and school correlates of body mass index and cardiorespiratory fitness in primary school children from the REACT project: A multivariate multilevel analysis.

Objective: This paper examines the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) using a multivariate multilevel approach and investigates the links between individual and school-related correlates with children's BMI and CRF.

Methods: This cross-sectional sample included 1014 children (6-10 years) from 25 Portuguese primary schools. BMI was calculated, and CRF was assessed with the PACER test.

A Multidimensional Approach to Talent Identification in Youth Volleyball through Declarative Tactical Knowledge and Functional Fitness.

This study aimed to assess which multidimensional performance indexes were the best predictors of talent identification in volleyball. Fifty-five female players (age: 13.8 ± 1.

Measurement properties of Brief-BESTest scores from children, adolescents, and youth with visual impairments.

This study aimed to vet the measurement properties of Brief-BESTest scores in children, adolescents, and youth with visual impairment and blindness (YVI). A cross-sectional sample of YVI ( = 101) completed the Brief-BESTest, a modified version of the Y-Balance Test, the 360-degree turn test, bipedal quiet stance, and Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scales. Thirty-seven YVI completed test-retest of the Brief-BESTest using a one-year interval.

Sleep and fundamental movement skills in primary schoolchildren: The REACT project.

Objective: Whether sleep is related to fundamental movement skills (FMS) in the pediatric population is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the association between sleep characteristics (duration, efficiency, regularity) and FMS proficiency levels in school-aged children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 996 children (mean age: 8.

Statistical analysis of the longitudinal fundamental movement skills data in the REACT project using the multilevel ordinal logistic model.

Objectives: The REACT project was designed around two main aims: (1) to assess children's growth and motor development after the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) to follow their fundamental movement skills' developmental trajectories over 18 months using a novel technological device (Meu Educativo®) in their physical education classes. In this article, our goal is to describe statistical analysis of the longitudinal ordinal motor development data that was obtained from these children using the multilevel ordinal logistic model.

Methods: Longitudinal ordinal data are often collected in studies on motor development.

Validity and reliability of Meu Educativo®: A new tool to assess fundamental movement skills in school-aged children.

Objectives: There is evidence showing that children's proficiency in fundamental movement skills (FMS) is positively related to weight status, physical activity, fitness levels, cognitive development, as well as academic performance. Yet, the feasibility of FMS assessment is challenging, especially with relatively large samples of children. This article presents a new tool named Meu Educativo® to assess children's FMS levels, including its validity and reliability.

The Functional Movement Screen and Self-reported Injury in Senior Military College Cadets.

Introduction: Secular trend of increasing musculoskeletal injuries (MSKIs) across all branches of the U.S. Military is a critical limiting factor in the effective and efficient process of preparing military personnel for combat.

Background, rationale, and methodological overview of the REACT project-return-to-action on growth, motor development, and health after the COVID-19 pandemic in primary school children.

Objectives: The REACT project was designed around two main aims: (1) to assess children's growth and motor development after the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) to follow their fundamental movement skills' developmental trajectories over 18 months using a novel technological device (Meu Educativo®) in their physical education classes. In this introductory article, the first of the Journal's special issue dedicated to REACT, our goal was to present the project rationale, its methodology, training and certification of the team, statistical approach, quality control, governance, and study management.

Methods: We sampled 1000 children (6-10 years of age) from 25 of the 32 primary schools in Matosinhos, northern Portugal.

Effects of Different Teaching Approaches on Proxy Measures of Physical Fitness of Italian Kindergarten Children.

Developing physical fitness (PF) behaviors early in life enhances physical development and facilitates sustained participation in physical activity and sports across childhood. This study addressed the effect of different teaching approaches on precursors of PF in kindergarten children. A total of 178 children (5.

Impact of Motor Competence Profiles on Adolescents' Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness across Four Years.

Introduction: Physical activity levels have decreased over past decades with most adolescents neither meeting the current physical activity recommendations nor demonstrating adequate cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Motor competence (MC) is foundational for a physically active lifestyle; however, children demonstrate significant differences in their levels of MC in a broad foundation of movement skills. This study investigated developmental patterns of physical activity and CRF in children across 4 yr based on their longitudinal MC profiles.

Modeling the Dynamics of Children's Musculoskeletal Fitness.

This study models children's musculoskeletal fitness (MSF) developmental trajectories and identifies individual differences related to effects of time-invariant, as well as time-varying covariates. A total of 348 Portuguese children (177 girls) from six age cohorts were followed for three years. MSF tests (handgrip strength, standing long jump and shuttle run), age, body mass index (BMI), socioeconomic status (SES), gross motor coordination (GMC) and physical activity (PA) were assessed.

Holistic Functioning from a Developmental Perspective: A New Synthesis with a Focus on a Multi-tiered System Support Structure.

While research in specific academic disciplines has individually advanced knowledge and practice for promoting multiple aspects of health and well-being in children and adolescents, still missing is an understanding of the interconnectedness of many critical aspects of development and how to intentionally weave these factors to advance a more holistic approach. The need for a more holistic and inclusive approach to child and adolescent development is increasingly evident to promote long-term health and well-being as the overall percentage of children, adolescents, and adults who suffer from mental health disorders is increasing. To address this issue, our authorship team consists of researchers in the areas of developmental psychology, neuroscience, motor development, exercise science, and mental health.

Reinvest to Assess: Advancing Approaches to Motor Competence Measurement Across the Lifespan.

Measurement of motor competence is a vital process to advancing knowledge in the field of motor development. As motor competence is being more widely linked to research in other academic domains (e.g.

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.