Aim
This study aimed to explore the association of gross motor coordination (GMC) with a matrix of biocultural factors in prepubescent children, taking into account weight status, somatic maturation, ...sociodemographic variables, and type of school.
Methods
One hundred twenty‐nine prepubescent children, of both sexes, aged between 8.00 and 8.99, were assessed for GMC (Körperkoordinationstest Für Kinder ‐ KTK), weight status, biological maturation (predicted mature stature), sex, mother's education level and type of school. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between higher values of KTK and associated biocultural factors.
Results
Normoponderal children are more likely to attain better total KTK scores than those with overweight or obesity (OR: 2.942; LC 95%: 1.189, 7.280). In addition, children who are more advanced in terms of biological maturation exhibited significantly lower odds of being in the high KTK category than their less advanced peers (OR: 0.670; LC 95%: 0.474,0.946). Sex, mother's education level and the type of school are not associated with higher performance on KTK.
Conclusion
Weight status and biological maturation are associated with motor competence in prepubescent children. Future studies should consider additional correlates to better understand the complex interactions between biological, psychosocial and behavioral factors in the prediction of motor competence.
Abstract Introduction: The literature emphasizes the importance of acquiring good motor coordination in the early years of life and its relationship with physical fitness and physical activity during ...adolescence and adulthood. Objective: To analyze the effect of biological maturation on the motor coordination in boys. Method: The sample was composed by 203 boys between 11 and 14 years old. Height, body mass, sitting height, waist circumference (WC) and skinfolds were measured. Somatic maturation (SM) was assessed by maturity offset (estimated age at peak height velocity). The gross motor coordination was evaluated by Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK) battery. Results: The SM exerted an effect on the walking backward on balance beams (WB) mediated by the WC. Conclusion: The results showed that the performance of boys in the WB was negatively influenced by the greater volume of fat in the trunk related to a more advanced state of SM.
Resumo Introdução: A literatura enfatiza a importância da aquisição de uma boa coordenação motora nos anos iniciais da vida e sua relação com a aptidão física e a atividade física durante a adolescência e na fase adulta. Objetivo: Analisar o efeito da maturação biológica sobre o desempenho coordenativo de meninos. Método: A amostra contou com 203 meninos entre 11 e 14 anos. Foram medidos estatura, massa corporal, altura sentado, perímetro de cintura (PC) e dobras cutâneas. A maturação somática (MS) foi avaliada pelo maturity offset (estimativa da idade no pico de velocidade de crescimento). O Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK) foi o teste de coordenação motora utilizado (composto por 4 tarefas). Resultados: A MS exerceu efeito sobre o equilíbrio à retaguarda (ER), mediado pelo PC. Conclusão: Conclui-se que o desempenho dos meninos no ER sofre efeito negativo do maior acúmulo de gordura no tronco relacionado a um estado mais avançado de MS.
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