Evaluation of Motor Competence, Physical Activity and Body Composition in Primary and Secondary School Children

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the motor competence, the physical activity and the body composition in schoolchildren of the last class of primary and secondary schools with representative indexes, by easy to use and reliable measurements and tests in relation to norms or target values. 478 boys and girls of primary (age: 11.4 ± 0.5) and secondary schools (age: 14.4 ± 0.5) from 20 schools of urban, rurban and rural areas of region Serres and Kilkis participated in this study. Measurements of body height, weight and waist circumference and the performance in three motor tests: standing broad jump (T1), sit and reach (T2) and 20m sprint (T3) were registered, while physical activity as well others sedentary activities from the ground up were self reported in a week table. Norms and target values from national or global data and recommendations of Word Health Organization (WHO) used for the evaluation of motor competency, physical activity and body composition. The results showed that boys and girls of the primary and secondary schools respectively presented in relative high percentages deficiencies in motor competency in test T1 (boys: 29 and 20%, girls: 24 and 35%) and in test T3 (boys: 5 and 20%, girls: 9 and 19%), while they abstained from the target performance in test T2 (boys: 52 and 43%, girls: 26 and 21%) and from the target value of one hour-daily physical activity (boys: 28 and 40%, girls 55 and 60%). Also in relative high percentages they were ranged in overweight and obesity levels for your age (boys 35 and 29%, girls 37 and 32%). Significant correlations were observed between the tests T1 and T3 (r=-0.58, p<0.001), between the body mass index and the test T1, as well as the test T3 (r=-0.22 and r=0.29 respectively, p<0.001) and between the daily physical activity and the daily school homework, as well as TV watching (r=-0.20 and r=-0.19 respectively, p<0.001). In conclusion, several children in primary and secondary schools have deficiencies in relation to their motor competence; they limitedly participate in physical activities, lesser as the age is increasing, as opposed to their sedentary activities which they are increased. About 1 in 3 of them is overweight, which presages high percentages of obesity during their adultness. Therefore evaluations of their motor and physical development in all range of the obligatory education stands to reason (as prevention and as a timely interference) for the advance of their natural growth and health.