Fatness and fitness in relation to functional movement quality in overweight and obese children

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to investigate the independent and combined associations between several fatness indicators and fitness components with functional movement quality in overweight/obese children. A total of 56 children (33 girls, aged 8–12) classified as overweight/obese according to the World Obesity Federation standard cut points, participated in this study. Participants underwent assessments of fatness [body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and bioelectrical impedance measures], fitness [1 repetition maximum bench and leg press, and ALPHA test battery], and functional movement quality [4 tests from Functional Movement Screen ^TM (FMS)]. All fatness outcomes, except waist circumference, were negatively associated with total FMS score, after controlling for cardiorespiratory fitness. Cardiorespiratory fitness, lower limbs muscle strength, and speed-agility were positively associated with the total FMS score, regardless of BMI. Our results suggest that children with greater fatness indicators demonstrate lower functional movement quality independently of their fitness level, whereas children with better fitness level (i.e. cardiorespiratory fitness, lower limbs muscular strength, and speed-agility) demonstrate greater functional movement quality independently of their fatness level. However, children´s weight status seems to be more determinant than their fitness level in terms of functional movement quality, whereas being fit seems to moderately attenuate the negative influence of fatness.

KEYWORDS:

• Childhood obesity
• fitness
• muscular strength
• functional movement screen
• movement competence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The MUBI project, as a sub-study from the ActiveBrains project, is supported by the [Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) #1] under Grant [DEP2013-47540]; [Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health, University of Granada #2]; [SAMID III network, RETICS #3]; [PN I+D+I 2017-2021 (Spain) #4]; [ISCIII- Sub-Directorate General for Research Assessment and Promotion and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) #5] under Grant [RD16/0022].