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 .
Total body bone mineral content and tibial cortical bone measures in preschool children.
This study was undertaken to identify factors that influence total body bone area ( TBBA ) , total body bone mineral content ( TB BMC ) , and tibial cortical bone measures in 239 children aged 3 - 5 years . We obtained information on demographic and anthropometric characteristics and measurements of diet , physical activity , and strength . In multiple regression analysis , TBBA correlated with height ( p < 0.001 ) , weight ( p < 0.001 ) , percent body fat ( p < 0.001 ) , and calcium intake ( p = 0.02 ) . TB BMC correlated with TBBA ( p < 0.001 ) , age ( p = 0.001 ) , and weight ( p = 0.02 ) and inversely correlated with height ( p < 0.001 ) and percent body fat ( p < 0.001 ) . Children born preterm had lower TB BMC compared with children born at term ( p = 0.02 ) . Both periosteal and endosteal circumferences were correlated with weight ( both , p < 0.001 ) and inversely correlated with age ( p = 0.006 and p = 0.003 , respectively ) and percent body fat ( p = 0.002 and p = 0.005 respectively ) . Endosteal circumference was greater and cortical bone area was lower in children born preterm compared with those born at term ( both , p = 0.04 ) . Findings of higher TBBA and lower TB BMC in children with high percent body fat indicate undermineralization of bone and suggest that obesity in preschool children may have detrimental effects on total body bone mass accretion . A smaller tibial periosteal circumference and thus cross-sectional area in children with the same weight but higher percent body fat also would lead to a biomechanical disadvantage in these children . Findings of low TB BMC and cortical bone area among children born preterm need to be confirmed in other population s. We speculate that differences in these measurements between children born preterm and at term may be caused by differences in activity
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 .