Relationships between physical activity, physical fitness, somatic fitness, and coordination along childhood and adolescence

• Published in: Motricidade Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 35 - 45
• Main Authors: Saraiva, J P, Rodrigues, L P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese
• Published: 01.10.2010
• Subjects: Adolescence; Children; Coordination; Exercise; Fitness; Health; Internet; Motor development; Physical fitness
• ISSN: 1646-107X

The two main goals of this review were to understand how the relationships between physical activity, physical fitness, somatic fitness, and coordination are established along the motor development of children and adolescents, and how they would influence their future lives. The web based bibliographic database B-On was searched for peer-reviewed publications during the last decade (2000 to 2009). Search criteria included all articles on relationships between any two of the above named factors. Although different methodological designs and variables were found as markers for the same factor, overall results suggested the existence of a clear positive relationship among physical activity, physical fitness, somatic fitness, and coordination from childhood to adolescence, with a special relevance for the relationship between physical activity and coordination. It was also noted a renewed interest on physical activity and motor coordination developmental characteristics and relationships as well as on their lifelong health effects.Original Abstract: Neste trabalho procuramos perceber como se estabelecem as relacoes entre a actividade fisica, a aptidao fisica, a aptidao morfologica e a aptidao coordenativa ao longo do percurso de desenvolvimento motor de criancas e jovens, e qual o possivel impacto sobre a sua vida futura. Foi realizada uma pesquisa na base de dados B-On e seleccionados os trabalhos publicados na ultima decada (2000 a 2009) e que estudaram as relacoes entre qualquer um dos factores de interesse. No seu conjunto, e nao obstante as diferencas metodologicas ao nivel dos instrumentos utilizados na recolha dos dados, os artigos revistos sugerem a existencia clara de associacoes positivas entre todos os factores estudados, mas com especial relevincia para os resultados relativos a actividade fisica e a aptidao coordenativa. E ainda perceptivel um interesse actual e particular dos investigadores relativamente a actividade fisica e aos niveis de coordenacao motora exibidos por criancas e jovens, bem como aos seus resultados na determinacao das condicoes de saude ao longo da vida.