Physical activity interventions were consistently ( > 60 % of studies ) associated with improved motor and cognitive development , and psychosocial and cardiometabolic health .
Across observational studies , physical activity was consistently associated with favourable motor development , fitness , and bone and skeletal health .
For intensity , light- and moderate-intensity physical activity were not consistently associated with any health indicators , whereas moderate- to vigorous-intensity , vigorous-intensity , and total physical activity were consistently favourably associated with multiple health indicators .
Across study design s , consistent favourable associations with health indicators were observed for a variety of types of physical activity , including active play , aerobic , dance , prone position ( infants ; ≤1 year ) , and structured/organized .
Apart from ≥30 min/day of the prone position for infants , the most favourable frequency and duration of physical activity was unclear .
However , more physical activity appeared better for health .
Conclusions Specific types of physical activity , total physical activity , and physical activity of at least moderate- to vigorous-intensity were consistently favourably associated with multiple health indicators .
Background Given the rapid development during the early years ( 0 - 4 years ) , an underst and ing of the health implication s of physical activity is needed .
The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the relationships between objective ly and subjectively measured physical activity and health indicators in the early years .
Association among serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition in young children.
OBJECTIVE To examine the relationships among indicators of physical activity , physical fitness , and body composition with serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in young children . DESIGN Cross-sectional and 1-year prospect i ve cohort . SETTING Studies of Child Activity and Nutrition ( SCAN ) program , Galveston , Tex . SUBJECTS One hundred twenty-three 4- or 5-year-old black , Hispanic ( of Mexican origin ) , and white children . MEASUREMENTS Body composition , resting heart rate , and cardiovascular fitness variables and serum lipid and lipoprotein levels were measured at age 3 or 4 years ( study year 1 ) and at age 4 or 5 years ( study year 2 ) , and day-long heart rate was measured and the Children 's Activity Rating Scale was administered between study years 1 and 2 . RESULTS Year-1 waist/hip ratios were inversely correlated with total serum cholesterol ( TSC ) and low-density lipoprotein ( LDL ) levels . Mean activity level was inversely correlated with waist/hip ratios . On the basis of multiple regression analysis , the sum of seven skin-fold measurements , height , and gender explained 15.4 % of the variation in triglyceride levels . The sum of seven skin-fold measurements was inversely correlated with the high-density lipoprotein ( HDL ) level . Resting heart rate , waist/hip ratio , and the slope of the exercise heart rate during fitness testing explained 19.5 % of the variation in the concentration of an HDL subclass , HDL2 . These children 's levels of physical activity were associated with higher fitness levels . Year-1 waist/hip ratios and year-2 sum of seven skin-fold measurements were positively correlated with the LDL/HDL and TSC/HDL ratios . CONCLUSION Higher levels of cardiovascular fitness and lower levels of fatness were associated with more favorable serum lipid and lipoprotein levels in these young children .  Physical activity appeared to have an indirect association with serum lipid and lipoprotein values through its relationship with higher fitness levels and lower levels of fatness
Physical activity interventions were consistently ( > 60 % of studies ) associated with improved motor and cognitive development , and psychosocial and cardiometabolic health .
Across observational studies , physical activity was consistently associated with favourable motor development , fitness , and bone and skeletal health .
For intensity , light- and moderate-intensity physical activity were not consistently associated with any health indicators , whereas moderate- to vigorous-intensity , vigorous-intensity , and total physical activity were consistently favourably associated with multiple health indicators .
Across study design s , consistent favourable associations with health indicators were observed for a variety of types of physical activity , including active play , aerobic , dance , prone position ( infants ; ≤1 year ) , and structured/organized .
Apart from ≥30 min/day of the prone position for infants , the most favourable frequency and duration of physical activity was unclear .
However , more physical activity appeared better for health .
Conclusions Specific types of physical activity , total physical activity , and physical activity of at least moderate- to vigorous-intensity were consistently favourably associated with multiple health indicators .
Background Given the rapid development during the early years ( 0 - 4 years ) , an underst and ing of the health implication s of physical activity is needed .
The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the relationships between objective ly and subjectively measured physical activity and health indicators in the early years .