Samantha Birch

Fundamental movement skills and weight status in British primary school children

Abstract Weight status has been shown to have a negative impact on childrens competence in performing fundamental movement skills (FMSs). Following ethics approval and informed consent, 281 children in years 2–6 from a school in central England volunteered to participate. Each child performed eight FMSs (run, hop, gallop, jump, balance, kick, throw and catch) three times, all attempts were video-recorded. Video analysis was performed (Quintic Biomechanics software) using the Process Orient Checklist (subjective measurement). Height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI) and weight status was determined. Results highlighted that year group (age) had a significant effect on seven out of the eight skills (not kick). Year 4 (aged 8–9 years) significantly scored lower in all three locomotor skills (run, hop and gallop) at this age, whereas Year 5 (aged 9–10 years) all significantly peaked at the object control skills (catch and throw) at this age. Weight status (BMI) significantly affected the run, identifying that a child with a larger BMI will have a lower mastery level of the run. Gender significantly affected the kick, throw and balance, with girls outperforming in the balance and the boys in the kick and throw. By highlighting that children at different ages will have a lower score in different skills, the effect of BMI and gender on certain FMS is important knowledge for the target of intervention in primary school children.

Ambulatory physical activity levels of white and South Asian children in Central England

Aims:  To assess ambulatory physical activity in white and south Asian children from Central England and to examine variation in activity between weekdays and weekends.

The influence of age and weight status on cardiac autonomic control in healthy children: a review.

Heart rate variability (HRV) analyses can provide a non-invasive evaluation of cardiac autonomic activity. How autonomic control normally develops in childhood and how this is affected by obesity remain incompletely understood. In this review we examine the evidence that childhood age and weight status influence autonomic control of the heart as assessed using HRV. Electronic databases (Pubmed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library) were searched for studies examining HRV in healthy children from birth to 18 years who adhered to the Task Force (1996) guidelines. Twenty-four studies met our inclusion criteria. Seven examined childhood age and HRV. A reduction in 24-hour LF:HF was reported from birth to infancy (1 year), while overall HRV (SDNN) showed a marked and progressive increase. From infancy to early-to-late childhood (from 12 months to 15 years) LF:HF ratio was reported to decline further albeit at a slower rate, while RMSSD and SDNN increased. Twenty studies examined the effects of weight status and body composition on HRV. In a majority of studies, obese children exhibited reductions in RMSSD (n = 8/13), pNN50% (n = 7/9) and HF power (n = 14/18), no difference was reported for LF (n = 10/18), while LF:HF ratio was elevated (n = 10/15). HRV changes during childhood are consistent with a marked and progressive increase in cardiac parasympathetic activity relative to sympathetic activity. Obesity disrupts the normal maturation of cardiac autonomic control.

The Effect of Green Exercise on Blood Pressure, Heart Rate and Mood State in Primary School Children

The aim of this study was exploratory and sought to examine the effect on blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and mood state responses in primary school children of moderate intensity cycling whilst viewing a green environment compared to exercise alone. Following ethics approval and parental informed consent, 14 children (seven boys, seven girls, Mean age ± SD = 10 ± 1 years) undertook two, 15 min bouts of cycling at a moderate exercise intensity in a counterbalanced order. In one bout they cycled whilst viewing a film of cycling in a forest setting. In the other condition participants cycled with no visual stimulus. Pre-, immediately post-exercise and 15 min post-exercise, BP, HR and Mood state were assessed. Analysis of variance, indicated significant condition X time interaction for SBP (p = 0.04). Bonferroni post-hoc pairwise comparisons indicated that systolic blood pressure (SBP) 15 min post exercise was significantly lower following green exercise compared to the control condition (p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (all p > 0.05). HR immediately post exercise was significantly higher than HR pre exercise irrespective of green exercise or control condition (p = 0.001). Mood scores for fatigue were significantly higher and scores for vigor lower 15 min post exercise irrespective of green exercise or control condition (both p = 0.0001). Gender was not significant in any analyses (p > 0.05). Thus, the present study identifies an augmented post exercise hypotensive effect for children following green exercise compared to exercise alone.

Overweight and reduced heart rate variability in British children: An exploratory study

OBJECTIVE To investigate the associations between heart rate variability (HRV) and weight status in children. METHOD Following ethics approval, 182 children (87 males, 95 females) aged between 6 and 11 years old (Mean (SD) age 9.1 (1.4) years) were assessed for height and body mass from which body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) was calculated. Data were collected in Central England, March-June 2011. Resting HRV was assessed in the supine position. Time domain (RMSSD and pNN50) and frequency domain (HF and LF power (ms(2)), LF/HF ratio) measures of HRV were calculated. Pearson correlations were used to assess the associations between BMI and HRV parameters. Differences in HRV parameters according to gender or weight status were analysed using t-tests. RESULTS BMI was significantly and inversely related to RMSSD (r=-0.23, p=0.001) and pNN50 (r=0.20, p=0.008) but not frequency domain measures of HRV (p>0.05). Overweight/obese children demonstrated lower HF power compared to normal weight children (p=0.02). RMSSD and pNN50 were significantly lower in overweight/obese children compared to normal weight children (p<0.05). Age was associated with changes in Mean R-R and RMSSD (p<0.05). CONCLUSION This exploratory study suggests that HRV is reduced in overweight/obese children.

The Effect of Exercise Intensity on Postresistance Exercise Hypotension in Trained Men

Abstract Duncan, MJ, Birch, SL, and Oxford, SW. The effect of exercise intensity on postresistance exercise hypotension in trained men. J Strength Cond Res 28(6): 1706–1713, 2014—The occurrence of postresistance exercise hypotension (PEH) after resistance exercise remains unknown. This study examined blood pressure and heart rate (HR) responses to an acute bout of low- and high-intensity resistance exercise, matched for total work, in trained males. Sixteen resistance-trained males (23.1 ± 5.9 years) performed an acute bout of low- (40% of 1 repetition maximum [1RM]) and high-intensity resistance exercise (80% 1RM), matched for total work, separated by 7 days and performed in a counterbalanced order. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and HR were assessed before exercise, after completion of each exercise resistance exercise (3 sets of back squat, bench press, and deadlift) and every 10 minutes after resistance exercise for a period of 60 minutes. Results indicated a significant intensity × time interaction for SBP (p = 0.034, partial &eegr;2 = 0.122) and MAP (p = 0.047, partial &eegr;2 = 0.116) whereby SBP and MAP at 50-minute recovery and 60-minute recovery were significantly lower after high-intensity exercise (p = 0.01 for SBP and p = 0.05 for MAP in both cases) compared with low-intensity exercise. There were no significant main effects or interactions in regard to DBP (all p > 0.05). Heart rate data indicated a significant main effect for time (F(9, 135) = 2.479, p = 0.0001, partial &eegr;2 = 0.344). Post hoc multiple comparisons indicated that HR was significantly higher after squat, bench press, and deadlift exercise compared with resting HR and HR at 40-, 50-, and 60-minute recovery (all p = 0.03). The present findings suggest that an acute bout of high intensity, but not low intensity, resistance exercise using compound movements can promote PEH in trained men.

Prediction of habitual physical activity level and weight status from fundamental movement skill level

Abstract Fundamental movement skills (FMS) have been assessed in children in order to investigate the issues of the low proportion of children who meet physical activity (PA) guidelines and rising levels of obesity. The aim of this research was to identify whether previous or current FMS level is a better predictor of PA levels and weight status in children. In January 2012 (year 1), 281 children were recruited from one primary school in the West Midlands, UK. Children performed eight FMS three times, which were videoed and assessed using a subjective checklist. Sprint speed and jump height were measured objectively. Height and mass were measured to calculate the body mass index to determine the weight status. Skinfold calliper readings were used to calculate body fat percentage. One year later, in January 2013, all these tests were repeated on the same children, with the additional collection of PA data via the use of pedometers. Following multiple linear regression, it was identified that prior mastery in FMS was a better predictor of current PA, whereas current FMS was a better predictor of current weight status. Overall, FMS mastery is needed in childhood to be able to participate in PA and maintain a healthy weight status.

Low socio-economic environmental determinants of children's physical activity in Coventry, UK: a qualitative study in parents

Background Childrens physical activity (PA) is affected by socio-economic status (SES) and the environment. Children are not fully autonomous in their decision making; parental decisions thus affect how children utilise their surrounding environments for PA. The aim was to examine environmental influences on childrens PA from a qualitative perspective in parents from low SES wards in Coventry, UK. Method 59 parents of children in year 4 (aged 8–9years) completed the ALPHA environmental questionnaire. 16 of these parents took part in focus group discussions examining environmental facilitators and barriers to their childs PA (March–April, 2013). Results Emerging themes related to physical (i.e. poor access, safety and quality of the neighbourhood) and social environment (i.e. ‘rough’ neighbourhood due to crime and anti-social behaviour) influences on the PA behaviour of children. The parents believed these environmental factors resulted in the children engaging in greater sedentary activity (watching TV) indoors. The school environment was perceived as a supportive physical environment for childrens PA behaviour. Conclusion Parents perceptions of an unsupportive physical and social environment restrict childrens opportunities to play outside and be physically active and may lead to increased body fat (BF). Schools provide a supportive environment for children from low SES to be physically active in.

The impact of a school-based gardening intervention on intentions and behaviour related to fruit and vegetable consumption in children

A total of 77 children (34 boys, 43 girls, mean age ± standard deviation = 9 ± 1 years) participated in this study; 46 children (intervention) undertook a 12-week school gardening programme and 31 children acted as controls. Measures of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and fruit and vegetable consumption were taken pre- and post-intervention. Repeated measures analysis of variance and hierarchical regression analysis indicated that the intervention group increased daily consumption of fruits and vegetables and increased intentions, attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioural control related to fruit and vegetable consumption. Attitudes, norms and perceived behavioural control significantly predicted changes in fruit and vegetable consumption.

Efficacy of an integrated school curriculum pedometer intervention to enhance physical activity and to reduce weight status in children

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of an integrated school curriculum pedometer intervention on children’s physical activity and weight status. Following ethics approval and informed consent, 59 children (22 boys, 27 girls, aged 10–11) from a primary school in central England completed a four-week integrated physical activity intervention based on virtually walking from John O’Groats to Lands End. Habitual physical activity and weight status (body mass index (BMI)) were determined pre- and four weeks post-intervention using pedometry. Steps/day were also calculated during the intervention period, which lasted four weeks. Results indicated that average steps/day were significantly higher (P = .0001) during and post the intervention compared to baseline. The study also found a significant main effect whereby children classified as normal weight were significantly more active than those classified as overweight/obese (P = .003). The use of a four-week integrated curriculum pedometer intervention in school is therefore feasible and results in positive outcomes in relation to daily physical activity.