Claudia Augste

Does current behaviour predict the course of children's physical fitness?

Abstract The secular trend of reduced physical fitness (PF) leads to increased health risks. The aim of the present paper is to analyse various current factors that affect health behaviour with respect to the course of PF over 2 years. A path analysis combined with a latent growth curve analysis was based on a study that was conducted between June 2008 and June 2010 with 145 primary German school children (52.1% male, average age at baseline 7.95 years ± 0.95). PF was tested with the German Motor Test 6–18. For the mean PF and the course of PF, direct and indirect influences were shown over three levels, including migration background on the first level and physical activity (PA) on the second level. Body mass index (BMI) impacted the mean PF but not the course of PF. The influence of sedentary behaviour on the mean PF was diminished (compared to bivariate analysis) due to its common variance mainly with BMI. PA affected not only current PF in children but also the course of PF (aintercept = .28, P = .001; aslope = .27, P = .21). Consequently, preventive measures should focus on early adoption and maintenance of PA.

Seasonal variations in physical fitness among elementary school children

Abstract There is empirical evidence that children’s physical activity is dependent on climatic conditions. In addition, a correlation between physical activity level and physical fitness has been identified. In this longitudinal study, we investigate whether seasons have an influence on physical fitness. A total of 145 German elementary school children were tested every six months over a two-year period. We used the German Motor Test 6–18 to assess physical fitness. Performance in the 6-min endurance run (P < 0.001), bidirectional jumping (P < 0.001), the standing long jump (P = 0.026), the 20 m sprint (P = 0.006) and the stand-and-reach task (P = 0.017) was significantly better in summer than in winter. There were no differences in the ability to balance backwards (P = 0.120); in the winter, the results for push-ups (P < 0.001) and sit-ups (P < 0.001) were better than those in the summer. We have shown that physical fitness is significantly influenced by the season. Consequently, when children’s fitness tests are used (e.g. as the basis for intervention programs, for classifying health-risk groups or for recognising talent), the season in which testing occurred should be reported and accounted for in future studies.

Game stoppages as a tactical means in soccer – a comparison of the FIFA World Cups™ 2006 and 2014

The intention of the present study was to examine, if interruptions are used as a tactical means in international competitions and if law changes influence the duration. Therefore, the 32 matches of the knockout stage of the FIFA World Cups 2006 and 2014 were analysed and compared. Free kicks in 2014, when vanishing spray was used, took significantly longer than in 2006 (P < .01). Players were substituted faster by teams behind than at even score (P < .01), but not slower by leading teams (P > .05). The number of injuries with medical intervention was significantly higher for teams ahead than for teams behind (P < .05). When injured players had to be carried off the field by law in 2006, play was continued faster than in 2014 (P < .05). Overall, in 2014 leading teams used game stoppages more intensively to kill time than in 2006. To hinder this undesired development officials could think about introducing the concept of net playing time. At least referees should be sensitised for this behaviour even more than nowadays.

Die sportmotorische Leistungsfähigkeit hörgeschädigter Grundschulkinder

Das auditive Sinnessystem stellt eine bedeutende Informationsquelle bei sportlichen Bewegungen dar. Bei horgeschadigten Kindern sind im Lehr- / Lernprozess verbale Informationen (z. B. fur Bewegungsbeschreibungen und -korrekturen), aber auch sensorische Ruckmeldungen bei der Bewegungsausfuhrung deutlich eingeschrankt. In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wurden die Auswirkungen unterschiedlicher Grade an Horschadigungen bei Grundschulkindern auf unterschiedliche motorische Fahigkeiten differenziert betrachtet.