The Effect of a Physical Activity Program on Some Anthropometric Characteristics in Children with Emotional and Behavioral Problems

Year 2018, Volume: 9 Issue: 2, 73 - 81, 15.05.2018

Emine Kutlay , Ercan Haslofça Tezan Bildik , Manuel Sillero Quintana

Abstract

The aim of
this study was to investigate the effects of physical activity on some
anthropometric characteristics of children with emotional and behavioral
disturbances. Sample consisted of 19 children (between 6,00-12,99 ages) from
the child and adolescent psychiatry Unit of the Ege University Medical School.
They participate in a twelve-week educative program including controlled PA (2
days a week, 60 min a day, aerobic exercises). Anthropometric data were collected before and after
enrolling in the educative program by an accredited ISAK Level II anthropometrist
following the ISAK manual (Marfell-Jones et al., 2006). Relaxed Arm (RAG),
Contracted Arm (CAG), Waist (WG), Gluteal (GG) and Calf (CG) Girths, Triceps
(Tsk), Subscapular (Sbsk), Biceps (Bsk), Iliac (Isk), Supraspinale (Ssk),
Abdominal (Ask), Thigh (Thsk) and Calf (Csk) skinfolds, Humeral (HB) and
Femoral (FB) breadths, body weight (W), stature (St), sitting height (Sh) and
arm span (AS) (Restricted Profile) were
measured
and used to determine the sum of 8 skinfolds (S8), BMI and percentage of body
fat (%BF)(2). Children were divided into two mixed groups according to the age
and gender. Student T-test was run for comparing pre- and post- results and
Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Tests were used for identify differences by gender and age
groups setting always statistical significances at α=0.05. When general pre-
and post- test data were compared, significant differences in W, St, Sh, AS, GG
and CG were observed (p<0.05). Considering only the boys’ data, differences
(p<0.05) were found for W, St, Sh, AS, Tsk and GG results, but in girls only
for St, Sbsk, and CG. Finally, children under-10 significantly changed their W,
St, Sh, AS, and CG measurements and children over-10 changed their St, Sh, AS,
and GG. PA programs can lead to significant changes in some anthropometric
characteristics of children with emotional and behavioral problems. Educative
programs with PA contents can support their physical fitness levels and
physical properties.

Keywords

Children, Physical activity, body composition

References

• 1. ACSM’s Health-Related Physical Fitness Assessment Manual, (2010) 3rd ed./editor, Leonard A. Kaminsky: American College of Sports medicine, p.3.
• 2. ACSM, (2016). Physical Activity, Fitness, Cognitive Function and Academic Achievement in Children: A Systematic Review. Med. Sci. Sports&Exercise, DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000901.
• 3. America SoHaPE. National Standards & Grade-Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education. (2014). Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics;. In American College of Sports Medicine, Physical Activity, Fitness, Cognitive Function, and Academic Achievement in Children: A Systematic Review. Med. Sci. Sports&Exercise, 2016, DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000901.
• 4. Akgün,. N., Ergen, E., Ertat, A., İşlegen, Ç., Çolakoğlu, H., Emlek, Y. (1990). Eurofit test results in the western part of Turkey, Council of Europe, VIth European Research Seminar. The Eurofit Tests of Physical Fitness, 26-30 June, Izmir, Turkey, p. 69-115.
• 5. Brauner, C.B., Stephens, C.B., (2006). Estimating the prevalence of early childhood serious emotional/behavioral disorders: Challenges and Recommendations. Public health reports,;121, 303-310.
• 6. Chen, A.G., Yan, J., Yin, H.C., Pan, C.Y., Chang, Y.K. (2014). Effects of acute aerobic exercise on multiple aspects of executive function in preadolescent children. Psychol Sport Exerc., 15(6), 627-36.
• 7. Deslandes, A., Moraes, H., Ferreira, C., Veiga, H., Silveira, H., Mouta, R., Pompeu, F.A., Cautinho, E.S., Laks, J. (2009). Exercise and mental health. Neuropsychobiyology, 59, 191-198.
• 8. Diamond, A. (2013). Executive functions. Annu Rev Psychol., 64: 135-68.
• 9. Etnier, J.L, Salazar, W., Landers, D.M., Petruzzello, S.J, Han, M., Nowell, P. (1997). The influence of physical fitness and exercise upon cognitive functioning: a meta-analysis. J Sport Exerc Psychol., 19, 249–77.
• 10. Hatipoglu, N., Özturk, A., Mazıcıoğlu, M.M., Kurtoglu, S., Seyhan, S., Lokoglu, F. (2007). Waist circumference percentiles for 7- to 17-year-old Turkish children and adolescentes. Eur J Pediatr., 
DOI 10.1007/s00431-007-0502-3.
• 11. Heyward, V.H. Advanced fitness assessment and exercise prescription, 5th ed., Human Kinetics, USA, 2006, p171, 198.
• 12. Leblanc, J., Dickson, L. (2011) Çocuklar ve Spor, Ed. Gazanfer Kemal Gül (Translated Deniz Erben, Tanju Bağırgan) Spor Yayınevi ve Kitabevi, Ankara, p. 72, 85.
• 13. Malina, R.M. (2002). Exercise and Growth: Physical activity as a factor in growth and maturation. In: Human Growth and Development, Edited by: Noel Cameron, Elsevier Science (USA), p. 321.
• 14. Marfell-Jones, M.J., Olds, T., Stewart, A.D., Carter, L. (2006). International Standards for Anthropometric Assessment. Potchefstroom, South Africa.
• 15. Neyzi, O., Günöz, H., Furman, A., Bundak, R., Gökçay, G., Darendeliler, F., Baş, F. (2008). Türk çocuklarında vücut ağırlığı, boy uzunluğu, baş çevresi ve vücut kitle indeksi referans değerleri. Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Dergisi, 51, 1-14.
• 16. Ortega, F.B., Ruiz, J.R., Castillo, M.J., Sjöström, M. (2008). Physical fitness in childhood and adolescence: a powerful marker of health. Int J of Obes, 32, 1-11.
• 17. Öztürk, A., Budak, N., Çiçek, B., Mazıcıoğlu, M.M., Bayram, F., Kurtoğlu, S. (2009). Cross-sectional reference values for mid-upper arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness and arm fat area of Turkish children and adolescentes. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 60(4), 267-281.
• 18. Patel, V., Kieling, C., Maulik, P.K., Divan, G. (2013). Improving access to care for children with mental disorders: A global perspective, Arc Dis Child, 98(5), 323-327.
• 19. Portugal, E., Cevada, T., Monteiro-Junior, R.S., Guimaraes, T.T., Rubini, E.C., Lattari, E., Blois, C., Deslandes, A.C. (2013). Neuroscience of Exercise: From neurobiology mechanisms to mental health. Neuropsychobiyology, 68, 1-14.
• 20. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. (2008) Washington, DC: US Department of Health and Human Services, p18.
• 21. Runhaar, J., Collard, D. C. M., Singh, A. S., Kemper, H. C. G., Van Mechelen, W., & Chinapaw, M. (2010). Motor fitness in Dutch youth: differences over a 26-year period (1980–2006). Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 13(3), 323-328.
• 22. Slaughter, M.H., Lohman, T.G., Boileau, R.A., Horswill, C.A., Stillman, R.J., Van Loan, M.D., Bemben, D.A. (1988). Skinfold equations for estimation of body fatness in children and youth. Hum Biol. 60, 709-23.
• 23. Tremblay, M.S., Shields, M., Laviolette, M., Craig, C.L., Janssen, I., Connor Gorber, S. (2010). Fitness of Canadian children and youth: results from the 2007-2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey. Health-Reports, 21, 1-14.
• 24. Zemel, B. (2002). Body composition during growth and development, In: Human Growth and Development, Edited by: Noel Cameron, Elsevier Science, USA, p. 271-291.