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- Motor Competence in Children With and Without AmbliopiaPublication . Sá, Cristina; Luz, Carlos; Pombo, André; Rodrigues, Luis P.; Cordovil, R.The purpose of this study was to assess the motor competence of children with and without amblyopia. Study participants were 165 primary school children, aged 6–9 years, divided into three groups based on their visual acuity with the Snellen chart: (a) non-amblyopia, (b) corrected amblyopia, and (c) non-corrected amblyopia. We assessed the children’s motor competence with the Motor Competence Assessment battery (MCA) and their physical activity with the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). The non-amblyopia group presented significantly better motor competence on the MCA than either the corrected amblyopia group or the non-corrected amblyopia group; there were no statistically significant motor differences between the two amblyopia subgroups. Amblyopia versus non-amblyopia differences on the MCA were mainly in stability and locomotor components, involving dynamic balance and the change of spatial position and direction of movement, but not in the manipulative component (ball throwing velocity and ball kicking velocity). Predictably, from within an integrated visual motor perspective of child development, our findings suggest that intact vision played an important role in children’s motor competence. The development of fundamental motor skills, especially of stability and locomotor skills, may be affected by poor visual processing in that participants with uncorrected amblyopia showed poor movement accuracy, uncoordinated movement, and impaired balance.
- Correlates of children's physical activity during the COVID-19 confinement in PortugalPublication . Pombo, André; Luz, Carlos; Rodrigues, Luis P.; Ferreira, C.; Cordovil, R.Objectives: The aim of the study was to understand the role of household variables on the percentage of physical activity (%PA) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) confinement in Portugal. Study design: A cross-sectional study design using an anonymous online survey was launched to assess how Portuguese families with children aged younger than 13 years adjusted their daily routines to the confinement. Methods: Separate analyses of variance were performed to investigate how factors such as the number of children, age, sex, the housing characteristics, and the adults' job situation can affect the percentage of time for PA (%PA). Results: Findings, based on data from 2159 children, indicate that (1) boys and girls did not differ in the %PA on any of the age-groups; (2) children with an outdoor space and who had other children in the household were significantly more active (P < .001); (3) children from families with all adults working from home showed lower levels of %PA; and (4) being younger, having a big outdoor space, having other children in the household, and having at least one adult free from working from home were significant positive predictors of children's %PA, explaining 21% of the overall variance. Conclusion: Time allocated for PA during this period is reduced compared with what is usually reported on normal days. It is necessary to find strategies to increase children's PA, especially in families in which both parents are working and have no outdoor space.
- Influences of family and household characteristics on children’s level of physical activity during social distancing due to covid-19 in BrazilPublication . Siegle, Cristhina; Pombo, André; Luz, Carlos; Rodrigues, Luis P.; Cordovil, R.; Sá, CristinaObjective: To evaluate if the variables child’s sex, age, presence of siblings, parents working remotely, and external space affect the level of physical activity (PA) of Brazilian children during social distancing imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: An online questionnaire was applied by the LimeSurvey software from March to April 2020. Children were divided into four age groups, and the questionnaire comprised questions on family and household characteristics, domestic and children’s routines in the period of Brazilian social distancing. Based on the answers concerning children’s activities, the following variable was created: percentage of physical activity (%PA) in one-day period. Analysis of variance and regression analysis were performed to investigate the effect of demographic and parental activities on %PA. Results: The %PA decreases with increasing age, but increases with the availability of external space at home. No significant or interaction effects were observed for other variables. Age and external space at home are predictors of %PA. Conclusions: Household and personal characteristics of Brazilian children influence the level of physical activity performed by them during social
- Mapeando o currículo: cruzando competências e áreas de conteúdoPublication . Valente, Bianor; Ferreira, Nuno Martins; Mendes, Luís; Melo, Nuno; Brunheira, Lina; Almeida, Pedro; Pereira, Susana; Estrela, Antónia; Marques, Ana Silva; Pereira, Teresa; Vieira, Natália; Luz, Carlos; Relvas, MárioA abordagem baseada em competências é uma das tendências fortes nos A abordagem baseada em competências é uma das tendências fortes nos currículos atuais. Em Portugal, as Aprendizagens Essenciais (AE) definem explicitamente os conhecimentos, capacidades e atitudes a serem alcançados em cada ano ou ciclo de escolaridade em cada componente curricular. Esta perspetiva tem sido adotada como uma forma de promover uma educação mais abrangente e centrada no desenvolvimento integral dos alunos dentro do sistema educacional português. Nesta abordagem curricular, o papel dos conteúdos precisa de ser mais clarificado, uma vez que persiste a falsa dicotomia “competência” em vez de “conteúdo”, mesmo nas representações dos docentes, o que condiciona a análise do currículo e, consequentemente, a sua implementação. Neste capítulo é apresentado o mapeamento do currículo veiculado pelas AE no 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico (CEB), procurando cruzar competências e áreas de conteúdo e identificando-se a presença ou ausência das 28 competências definidas no projeto Education 2030 (OCDE, 2020). Os resultados evidenciam que é possível identificar todas as competências desse projeto no currículo do 1.º CEB, no entanto, algumas são mais frequentes do que outras; que há competências que surgem em todas as áreas de conteúdo, enquanto outras apenas estão patentes em algumas; e que existem áreas de conteúdo cujas AE foram codificadas com uma grande diversidade de competências e áreas com menor diversidade de competências. Conclui-se, assim, que as AE evidenciam a interligação entre competências e áreas de conteúdos, reforçando a importância de uma abordagem completa e integradora no processo educativo. Neste capítulo, tal situação será abordada de forma aprofundada e sistematizada.s atuais. Em Portugal, as Aprendizagens Essenciais (AE) definem explicitamente os conhecimentos, capacidades e atitudes a serem alcançados em cada ano ou ciclo de escolaridade em cada componente curricular. Esta perspetiva tem sido adotada como uma forma de promover uma educação mais abrangente e centrada no desenvolvimento integral dos alunos dentro do sistema educacional português. Nesta abordagem curricular, o papel dos conteúdos precisa de ser mais clarificado, uma vez que persiste a falsa dicotomia “competência” em vez de “conteúdo”, mesmo nas representações dos docentes, o que condiciona a análise do currículo e, consequentemente, a sua implementação. Neste capítulo é apresentado o mapeamento do currículo veiculado pelas AE no 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico (CEB), procurando cruzar competências e áreas de conteúdo e identificando-se a presença ou ausência das 28 competências definidas no projeto Education 2030 (OCDE, 2020). Os resultados evidenciam que é possível identificar todas as competências desse projeto no currículo do 1.º CEB, no entanto, algumas são mais frequentes do que outras; que há competências que surgem em todas as áreas de conteúdo, enquanto outras apenas estão patentes em algumas; e que existem áreas de conteúdo cujas AE foram codificadas com uma grande diversidade de competências e áreas com menor diversidade de competências. Conclui-se, assim, que as AE evidenciam a interligação entre competências e áreas de conteúdos, reforçando a importância de uma abordagem completa e integradora no processo educativo. Neste capítulo, tal situação será abordada de forma aprofundada e sistematizada.
- Covid-19 social isolation in Brazil: effects on the physical activity routine of families with childrenPublication . Sá, Cristina; Pombo, André; Luz, Carlos; Rodrigues, Luis P.; Cordovil, R.Objective: To identify how Brazilian families with children aged under 13 years face the period of social isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, especially regarding the time spent on physical activity (PA), intellectual activity, games, outdoor activities and screen. Methods: An anonymous online survey was launched on March 24, 2020 in Brazil to assess how families with children aged up to 12 years are adjusting their daily routines to this situation. In the survey, each family reported the daily time each child spent in sedentary activity (sum of intellectual activities, play time on screen, playing without PA) and PA (sum of playing with PA and PA). Results: The main findings based on data from 816 children indicate that most parents consider there was a reduction in the time that children spend practicing PA; increase in screen play time and family activities, differences between sex were found regarding screen play time (boys>girls) and in playing without PA (girls>boys), and there was an age effect for all categories analyzed, with a tendency to increase the total time of sedentary lifestyle and complementary reducing the time of PA over age. Conclusions: The household routines of families during the period of social isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic confirm the general reduction tendency in PA time during childhood.
- Motor competence and health-related fitness in children: a cross-cultural comparison between Portugal and the United StatesPublication . Luz, Carlos; Cordovil, Rita; Rodrigues, Luís Paulo; Gao, Zan; Goodway, Jacqueline D.; Sacko, Ryan S.; Nesbitt, Danielle R.; Ferkel, Rick C.; True, Larissa K.; Stodden, David F.Background Motor competence and health-related fitness are important components for the development and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle in children. This study examined cross-cultural performances on motor competence and health-related fitness between Portuguese and U.S. children. Methods Portuguese (n = 508; 10.14 ± 2.13 years , mean ± SD) and U.S. (n = 710; 9.48 ± 1.62 years) children performed tests of cardiorespiratory fitness (Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run), upper body strength (handgrip), locomotor skill performance (standing long jump), and object projection skill performance (throwing and kicking). Portuguese and U.S. children were divided into 2 age groups (6–9 and 10–13 years) for data analysis purposes. A two–factor one–way analysis of covariance (ANOVA) was conducted with the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run, handgrip, standing long jump scores, kicking, and throwing speed (km/h) as dependent variables. Results Results indicated that Portuguese children, irrespective of sex, presented better performances in locomotor and cardiorespiratory performance (standing long jump and Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run) than U.S. children in both age bands. U.S. children outperformed Portuguese children during throwing and handgrip tests. Kicking tests presented gender differences: Portuguese boys and U.S. girls outperformed their internationally matched counterparts. Conclusion Cultural differences in physical education curricula and sports participation may impact differences in motor competence and fitness development in these countries.
- O impacto da educação física nas vertentes motoras, cognitivas e comportamentais dos alunosPublication . Gonçalves, Joana de Gonzaga Machado; Luz, CarlosNuma sociedade cada vez mais agitada e mais exigente e na qual as crianças estão cada vez mais expostas a estímulos, torna-se difícil “acalmar a nossa mente e focar a nossa atenção em determinadas tarefas ignorando os estímulos circundantes que nos possam impedir de ter sucesso em determinada situação” (Fonseca, 2017, p.19). Considerando este ritmo alucinante em que vivemos, as crianças apresentam mais dificuldade em focar a sua atenção numa determinada tarefa, independentemente da sua duração (Breyner, 2016). Além disto, a sociedade depara-se com um maior nível de obesidade e inatividade infantil, em Portugal 32% das crianças entre os 2 e os 10 anos “têm excesso de peso, entre as quais 14,6% são obesas” (Associação Portuguesa Contra a Obesidade Infantil [APCOI], 2018, s.p.).
- Effects of COVID-19 confinement on the household routines of children in PortugalPublication . Pombo, André; Luz, Carlos; Rodrigues, Luis Paulo; Cordovil, R.The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 disease (COVID-19) was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11 March, 2020. Since then, physical distancing measures such as confinement have been adopted by different governments to control human to human transmission. This study aimed to determine how confinement affects children’s routines, more specifically their physical activity (PA) and sedentary time. An online survey was launched to assess how Portuguese children under 13 years of age adjusted their daily routines to confinement. Parents reported the time each child was engaged in different activities throughout the day, which was used to calculate overall sedentary time and overall physical activity time. Based on the data of 2159 children, our study showed that during confinement: (i) there was a decrease in children’s physical activity time and an increase in screen time and family activities; (ii) boys engaged in more playful screen Time than girls (p < 0.05), and girls played more without PA than boys (p < 0.05); (iii) along the age groups, there was a trend for an increase of the overall sedentary time and an associated decrease of the overall physical activity time. In summary, PA of confined children showed low levels and a clear decreasing trend along childhood. Conjoint family and societal strategies to target specific age groups should be organized in the future.
- Do children’s previous physical activity habits influence their behaviors during the Covid-19 social distancing period?Publication . Siegle, Cristhina; Pombo, André; Luz, Carlos; Rodrigues, Luis P.; Cordovil, R.; Sá, CristinaObjective: Verify whether the practice of physical activity, before the social distancing imposed by COVID-19, influences children’s routines during this period, in children of different ages. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study carried out with an online questionnaire from LimeSurvey and disseminated for four months during social distancing. The questionnaire contained questions about family composition, household characteristics, household and children’s routines, including habits such as sleeping, physical activity, intellectual activity, playing with and without physical activity, and screen time. The final sample consisted of 916 participating families that answered about the physical activity habits of their respective children before the pandemic. Children were divided into three age groups (three to five years, six to nine years, and ten to twelve years). Independent Student’s t-tests were performed to investigate whether the previous practice of scheduled physical activity group and the no physical activity group differed as to the time dedicated to children’s activities and routines (intellectual activity, sleeping, screen time, playing with and without physical activity), by age groups, during social distancing. Results: There was a decrease in the levels of physical activity undertaken by Brazilian children during social distancing. There was no difference when both groups. The children with previous practice of scheduled physical activity did not display different habits from the children who did not adopt this practice. Conclusions: The practice of physical activity before social distancing did not influence the level of physical activity and other habits during social distancing. Healthy habits should be encouraged and targeted for all children during the pandemic. These findings can contribute to the formulation of public policies for children during pandemic times.
- Excesso ponderal e pressão arterial em crianças do 1º CicloPublication . Moreira, Ana Catarina; Borrego, Rute; Machado, Margarida; Pombo, André; Costa, Vânia; Almeida, Ana Maria; Tavares, Ana Sofia; Sá, Cristina; Cordovil, R.; Luz, CarlosIntrodução: Portugal é o 6.° país da União Europeia cuja prevalência de excesso de peso e obesidade ultrapassa os 30%. As crianças obesas apresentam risco mais elevado para hipertensão arterial do que crianças não obesas, risco que aumenta com o aumento do IMC e não apenas na classificação de obesidade. A hipertensão arterial é um dos principais factores de risco modificável de doenças cardiovasculares. A sua incidência e prevalência em crianças tem aumentado nas últimas décadas, principalmente, nos países desenvolvidos. Crianças com hipertensão arterial tendem a ser adultos hipertensos com elevado número de morbilidades associadas. Como tal, a sua prevenção deve iniciar-se o mais precocemente possível. Métodos: Estudo transversal em crianças do 1º ciclo, com avaliação nutricional por parâmetros antropométricos e de pressão arterial. A avaliação nutricional incluiu peso e altura para cálculo do índice de massa corporal (IMC), prega cutânea tricipital e prega subescapular para cálculo da percentagem de massa gorda (%MG) através da equação de Slaughter, e o perímetro da cintura para a razão cintura/altura. Para a medição da pressão arterial foi utilizado um tensiómetro de braço, OMRON® M6, realizadas duas medições da pressão arterial sistólica e a pressão arterial diastólica com um intervalo de alguns minutos e classificada de acordo com o percentil de altura (National High Blood Pressure Education Program, 2004). A análise estatística foi efectuada com programa IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Resultados: Foram incluídos 181 crianças, 90 (49,7%) do sexo masculino, entre os 5 e os 10 anos com idade, média 7,4n1,2 anos. De acordo com o IMC, a maioria (61,9%) apresentava eutrofia, 38 (21%) excesso ponderal e 29 (16%) obesidade. A razão perímetro da cintura/altura foi superior ao percentil 90, em 62 (32,4%) crianças. A classificação da %MG foi superior ao percentil 91 em 47 (26,3%) e destes, 21 (11,6%) foram classificados com percentil superior a 98. A pressão arterial sistólica estava elevada (>Percentil 90) em 6 (3,3%) crianças, enquanto a diastólica estava elevada em 44 (24,3%) crianças, das quais 25 (13,8%) acima do Percentil 95. Verificou-se uma correlação positiva entre a pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica e o Z-Score de IMC (r=0,328; p<0,000) e (r=0,263; p<0,000) ; e entre a %MG (r=0,271; p<0,000) e (r=0,187; p<0,000), enquanto apenas a sistólica mostrou correlação fraca com a razão cintura/altura (r=0,181; p=0,015). As crianças eutróficas apresentavam valores de pressão arterial inferiores aos das crianças com excesso ponderal e obesidade (sistólica: 88,5n10,0 vs 93,6n9,7; p=0,050) (diastólica: 61,7n9,3 vs 64,7n7,4; P=0,024). Conclusão: Estes dados confirmam a elevada prevalência de excesso de peso e pressão arterial elevada em crianças no 1º ciclo, bem como a sua associação. Cerca de 1/3 das crianças apresentava excesso ponderal e ¼ tinha valores de pressão arterial elevados. Apesar de num estudo transversal não serem avaliados factores de causalidade, a correlação observada entre a pressão arterial e excesso de peso, indica que futuras intervenções devem focar não apenas a obesidade, mas igualmente a pressão arterial, especialmente em crianças com excesso de peso.