Influence of weight status on functional characteristics of italian school children (12-13 years).

The performance levels achieved in different motor skills change from early childhood through adolescence. Motor and strength performance are related with body size and composition. In particular, weight status have important implications in affecting the performance. Aim of this study is to evaluate the motor performance in children of different gender, age and weight status. The sample included 391 children (M 193; F 198) from Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, aged 12-13 years. Height and weight were measured and the BMI was derived. BMI was categorized into normal, overweight and obese using International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) thresholds for gender and exact age. Underweight was assessed using the thresholds of Cole et al. (2007). The following tests (Adam et al., 1988; Carbonaro et al., 1988) were carried out: sit and reach (SR), backward dynamic balance walking on a square beam (BDB), 10-m dash run (DR), hand grip (HG), standing broad jump (SBJ) and sitting basketball throw (SBT). Three way ANOVA was used to analyze the differences in each performance test between genders, age and weight status group. Gender differences (p<0.01) were found in all the motor tests except balance test. Females performed better in SR, males in all the other tests. Age and weight status differences were observed for SBT, SBJ, HG and DR. Overweight subjects performed better than their counterparts in SBT and HG. The SR and BDB showed no significant differences (p>0.01) among any groups according to the considered classifications. Differences among age, gender and weight status were noted in tests requiring both absolute (handgrip and throw) and relative (speed run and standing broad jump) strength. Overweight subjects obtained better results in upper limb strength tests, and worse results in weight-bearing tests. Flexibility and coordination tasks (BDB and SR) did not show significant differences according to age and weight status. In conclusion, weight status influences functional characteristics requiring strength, but are not related to balance and flexibility.