2020, Volume 12, Issue 1

The link between body mass index (BMI) and bone properties, muscle strength, and motor coordination in boys and girls aged 7−9



Ester Goldstein1, Ella Shoval2, Michal Arnon3, Gershon Tenenbaum4

1Physical Education Department, Givat Washington College of Education
2School of Education, The Academic College at Wingate, Wingate Institute
3Data Analysis Unit, The Academic College at Wingate, Wingate Institute
4Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, College of Education, Florida State University


Author for correspondence: Ester Goldstein; Physical Education Department, Givat Washington College of Education; email: ester@wincol.ac.il


DOI: 10.29359/BJHPA.12.1.06

Full text

Abstract

Background:  ‪Obesity affects health parameters that are related to physical activity. The present study examined the relationship between weight and three such parameters in young boys and girls, bone properties, muscle strength, and motor coordination.

Material and methods:  T‪he study consisted of second- and third-grade 286 students – 144 boys and 142 girls participants. Bone properties were measured at the distal radius and tibia shaft by Speed of Sound technology. Tests were conducted to measure muscle strength and motor coordination.

Results:  ‪Obese boys were characterized by lower bone properties (p < .01) in the tibia bone than normal-weight boys. They were significantly (p < .05) weaker than normal-weight boys on muscle strength tests. Obese boys scored significantly (p < .05) lower on coordination tests than the normal weight boys. Underweight girls maintained higher bone properties than did the girls in all other BMI categories. Normal-weight girls scored significantly (p < .05) higher than obese girls on muscle strength tests. Obese girls scored significantly (p < .05) lower than normal-weight girls on motor coordination tests.

Conclusions:  ‪The findings emphasize the need to identify obese children and refer them to special weight loss and exercise programs.


Key words: ‪bone properties, motor coordination, muscle strength, weight


Cite this article as:

AMA:

Goldstein E, Shoval E, Arnon M et al. The link between body mass index (BMI) and bone properties, muscle strength, and motor coordination in boys and girls aged 7−9. Balt J Health Phys Activ. 2020;12:54-64. doi:10.29359/BJHPA.12.1.06

APA:

Goldstein, E., Shoval, E., Arnon, M., & Tenenbaum, G. (2020). The link between body mass index (BMI) and bone properties, muscle strength, and motor coordination in boys and girls aged 7−9. Balt J Health Phys Activ, 12, 54-64. https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.12.1.06

Chicago:

Goldstein, Ester, Shoval Ella, Arnon Michal, Tenenbaum Gershon. 2020. "The link between body mass index (BMI) and bone properties, muscle strength, and motor coordination in boys and girls aged 7−9". Balt J Health Phys Activ 12: 54-64. doi:10.29359/BJHPA.12.1.06

Harvard:

Goldstein, E., Shoval, E., Arnon, M., and Tenenbaum, G. (2020). The link between body mass index (BMI) and bone properties, muscle strength, and motor coordination in boys and girls aged 7−9. Balt J Health Phys Activ, 12, pp.54-64. https://doi.org/10.29359/BJHPA.12.1.06

MLA:

Goldstein, Ester et al. "The link between body mass index (BMI) and bone properties, muscle strength, and motor coordination in boys and girls aged 7−9." Balt J Health Phys Activ, vol. 12, 2020, pp. 54-64. doi:10.29359/BJHPA.12.1.06

Vancouver:

Goldstein E, Shoval E, Arnon M et al. The link between body mass index (BMI) and bone properties, muscle strength, and motor coordination in boys and girls aged 7−9. Balt J Health Phys Activ 2020; 12: 54-64. Available from: doi:10.29359/BJHPA.12.1.06