Fotini Venetsanou

How can a traditional Greek dances programme affect the motor proficiency of pre‐school children?

The purpose of this article is to investigate the effect of an introductory traditional Greek dances programme on the motor proficiency development of pre‐school‐age children. The sample of this research consisted of 66 students (36 boys and 30 girls) attending public kindergarten in Argolida prefecture (Greece), aged 4–6 years (X = 59.79 ± 6.40 months). For the assessment of motor proficiency the ‘Test for children 4–6 years of age’ (Motoriktest für vier‐bis sechsjährige Kinder, MOT 4–6, Zimmer & Volkamer, 1987 ) was used. The children of the experimental group (n = 28) attended the intervention programme for 20 weeks, participating in two sessions a week, while the children of the control group (n = 38) did not participate regularly in any organized physical activity programme. A two‐way ANOVA model for repeated measures was used for data analysis. From the results, while both groups displayed an improvement in their performance, the experimental group surpassed statistically significantly the control group in the post‐test. From the results it was observed that an introductory traditional Greek dances programme can notably improve children’s motor proficiency.

Pedometer determined physical activity and obesity prevalence of Greek children aged 4-6 years.

Abstract Background: Pre-school age is important for developing healthy attitudes towards physical activity (PA). However, research on pre-schoolers’ pedometer-determined PA is limited. Aim: To describe pre-schoolers’ ambulatory activity; investigate step count differences in respect to Body Mass Index (BMI) categories and examine the prevalence of obesity. Subjects and methods: Pre-school aged children (n = 250; 5.5 ± 0.4 years) from Komotini (Greece) wore Omron HJ-720IT-E2 pedometers for 10 consecutive days. Height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated. Results: Three-way repeated measures ANOVAs revealed that children performed more steps on weekdays than during weekends (p < 0.001) and during leisure time than school (p < 0.001). Significant differences appeared between normal and obese children’s counts on weekdays (p < 0.001), weekend days (p < 0.05), during school (p < 0.001), after school (p < 0.005) and in weekly steps (p < 0.005). No gender differences were detected. Moreover, according to a sample t-test analysis, children’s daily steps were significantly different from the 10 000 steps/day guideline, while obesity prevalence was 15.6%. Conclusion: School-based ambulatory activity is lower than after school ambulatory activity, independent of BMI-category and gender, although obese children demonstrated fewer steps. Taking into account the high rate of both the obesity prevalence and children not meeting the 10 000 steps/day guideline, the need for preventive policies becomes obvious.

Can Motor Proficiency in Preschool Age Affect Physical Activity in Adolescence

BACKGROUND This study investigated if motor proficiency (MP) in preschool age associate with physical activity (PA) in adolescence. METHODS In 2004, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Short Form (BOTMP-SF) (7) was administered to 413 children, aged 4-6 years, who were classified to MP groups according to their BOTMP-SF total score (TS). In 2014, the PA of 106 former participants (47 boys, 59 girls) was measured with Omron pedometers. MP [three (high; above average; average)] × gender (two) ANOVA and Bonferroni tests were computed on average of steps/week. RESULTS A significant interaction between the two factors was revealed (F = 15.27, p < .001, η2=.153), indicating that MP influenced male and female PA differently. Only in average MP group, males presented higher PA than females, whereas there were no differences between the two genders in the higher MP groups. Moreover, the only significant difference in PA among male groups was that between high and above average MP groups, while in females there were significant differences among all groups. CONCLUSION High MP at preschool age positively associated with the PA in adolescence, especially in females. Emphasis on the development of proficient young movers might be beneficial for lifelong PA.

The Democritos Movement Screening Tool for preschool children (DEMOST-PRE): Development and factorial validity

The aim of this study was (a) to develop an assessment tool (the Democritos Movement Screening Tool for Preschool Children - DEMOST-PRE), designed to provide preschool educators, clinicians and researchers with information about assessment and screening of the motor proficiency of children aged 4-6 years, as well as the development and control of movement programmes and (b) to assess its factorial validity. First, tools content and face validity were established and its final structure was determined. Then, the DEMOST-PRE was administered to 435 children (197 girls) aged 48-71 months (M=60.48 months, SD=6.98). The factor analysis conducted revealed two distinct components. Present evidence combined with the DEMOST-PRE administrative traits make it promising for preschool aged childrens assessment.

Motor Proficiency in Young Children

This study aimed to examine motor proficiency in young children, focusing on potential gender differences. For that purpose, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency–Long Form (BOTMP-LF) was administered to 540 children (272 boys), 4½ to 6 years old. First, the 2 (sex) × 4 (age groups) ANOVA computed on children’s total BOTMP-LF scores showed that age had a statistically significant effect, whereas gender did not. Second, the one-way MANCOVA applied on subtest scores, with age as covariate, revealed statistical significant gender differences; however, η2 values were found to be small or moderate. Finally, the MANCOVA applied on items where significant gender differences have been reported showed a significant effect of gender. Nonetheless, η2 values exceeded the limit of practical significance only on two items (“standing on preferred leg on floor”, “throwing a ball at a target with preferred hand”) that are associated with gender-stereotyped activities. It can be concluded that (a) besides statistical significance, effect sizes should be examined for the results of a study to be adequately interpreted; (b) young boys’ and girls’ motor proficiency is similar rather than different. Gender differences in specific skills should be used for movement programs to be individualized.

Construct and Concurrent Validity of the Democritos Movement Screening Tool for Preschoolers.

Purpose: To examine the construct and concurrent validity of the Democritos Movement Screening Tool for Preschool Children (DEMOST-PRE). Methods: The DEMOST-PRE was administered to 435 Greek children, aged 48 to 71 months. Construct validity was investigated through correlations between total scores and individual item scores, and scores according to age and sex, whereas concurrent validity was checked by using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Long Form as the test-criterion on a subsample of 50 children. Results: Moderate to strong, significant correlations (r = 0.390-0.831; P < .001) supported the internal consistency of the test. Age displayed a significant effect on childrens scores, whereas sex did not. Furthermore, the intra-rater class coefficient calculated for concurrent validity was found to be 0.80. Conclusions: On the basis of the aforementioned findings, the DEMOST-PRE has adequate psychometric properties for the Greek sample analyzed.

Graphomotor skills of Greek kindergarten and elementary school children: effect of a fine motor intervention program1

Abstract The purpose of this quasi experimental study was to examine the effect of a fine motor intervention program on the graphomotor skills of 64 kindergarten and early elementary school Greek students (33 boys, 31 girls). The participants were assigned to experimental (EG) and control groups (CG). Graphomotor skills were assessed with the visual motor control items of Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency – Long Form (BOTMP-LF). The intervention program lasted two months, twice per week. Analysis indicated significant multivariate and univariate interaction effects for each graphomotor skill. Early elementary educators and kindergarten teachers should consider fine motor intervention programs to improve the graphomotor skills of all students.

Overweight and Obesity Prevalence in Young Children Living in Athens

Background: The last decades, the epidemiological dimensions of childhood obesity are of major concern worldwide. Given its long-term health consequences, research findings regarding overweight and obesity prevalence in young children are valuable if policies against childhood obesity are to be planned and implemented. As Greece, is one of the countries facing the problem of obesity, the aim of the present study was to assess overweight and obesity status in young children living in the capital of Greece, Athens. Methods: Seven hundred and fifty-two children (320 boys; 432 girls), aged 4-8 years (6.37±1.17 years) volunteered to participate and were divided into four age groups (4-5, 5-6, 6-7 and 7-8-year-old). Children’s body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing each participant’s weight (kg) by the square of standing body height (m2). Overweight and obesity definition was based on the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) genderand age-specific cut-off criteria. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight was 18.2% (18.1% boys; 18.3% girls) and of obesity 7.4% (5.6% boys; 8.8% girls). The χ2 tests revealed that there were no significant differences in prevalence of overweight or obesity between boys and girls (χ2=2.76, p=.25). Regarding age groups, there was only one significant difference; that was between 6 and 7-year-old boys, with the 7-year-old surpassing the 6-year-old. Conclusions: The overweight/obesity is apparent among young Greek children at alarming levels. Carefully designed policy interventions are of great importance in order children’s dietary and physical activity patterns to be improved.