Motor fitness of 4-to 10-year-old children in Germany Results of KiGGS Wave 2 and trends

摘要

Regular physical activity and good motor performance are the basis for healthy physical development in childhood and are considered a protective factor for various health risks. However, children and adolescents in Germany are not physically active enough because sedentary activities have increased. One consequence is the decline in motor capacity, the totality of structures and functions that are responsible for the performance of motor actions. In the second follow-up survey of the study on the health of children and adolescents in Germany (KiGGS Wave 2, 2014-2017), the motor performance (LF) of 4- to 10-year-old children was examined with three motor tests: one-leg stand (EIN), stand and reach (RB), and jumping sideways (SHH). The purpose of this paper is to present the results of the tests and to compare them with data from the KiGGS baseline survey (2003-2006). It also analyzes how motor performance differs in terms of different characteristics such as sociodemographic factors, obesity, and physical activity. Compared to the KiGGS baseline survey, the 4- to 10-year-olds' motor performance in KiGGS Wave 2 has slightly improved in EIN, but RB and SHH are stagnating at low level. The test results indicate that middle and high social status, club sport activity, and "no overweight" are associated with above-average motor performance. Health policy, sports organizations, schools, and kindergartens should work together more closely so that all children have the same chance of good motor performance.