HEALTH AND SKILLS RELATED FITNESS INDICATORS IN ALBANIAN CHILDREN – REFERENCE VALUES FROM A COUNTRY IN TRANSITION

Authors

  • Jarani Juel Faculty of Movement Sciences, Sports University of Tirana, Albania
  • Spahi Andi Faculty of Movement Sciences, Sports University of Tirana, Albania
  • Ushtelenca Keida Faculty of Movement Sciences, Sports University of Tirana, Albania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v7i4.4040

Keywords:

children, BMI, waist, motor coordination

Abstract

The aims of this study were to analyze age and gender differences for health-related fitness, physical activity and gross motor coordination level in Albanian children. Data consisted of a cross-sectional study of 1176 children between first and fourth grade elementary school (618 boys and 558 girls) aged 7-10 years old). Anthropometrics (body mass and height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, % body fat), level of gross motor coordination (Korperkoordinationstest fur Kinder, KTK) and physical activity by questionnaire (PAQ-C) were assessed. Gross motor coordination and physical activity level increased until 9 years of age and then declined. Significant gender differences (P ≤ 0.05) were found for body mass, BMI and waist circumference where boys were heavier, had higher BMI scores and had greater values in waist circumference measurement then girls. Data obtained from this study showed that boys and girls in all age group fell into the normal level of physical activity. The results from this investigation study reveal strong evidence that children in Albania show motor difficulties in everyday skills (moderate motor disorder-31.2% and severe motor disorder-8%. 

 

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Author Biographies

  • Jarani Juel, Faculty of Movement Sciences, Sports University of Tirana, Albania
    Juel Jarani is a Lecturer at Education and Health Department, Faculty of Movement Sciences at Sports University of Tirana. Received a Science Degree in Physical Activity, Health and PE. Current research interests in physical education, sport and health.
  • Spahi Andi, Faculty of Movement Sciences, Sports University of Tirana, Albania
    Andi Spahi is a Lecturer at Sports Team Department, Faculty of Movement Sciences at Sports University of Tirana. Received a Science Degree in Physical Activity and Health. Current research interests in sport and physical education.
  • Ushtelenca Keida, Faculty of Movement Sciences, Sports University of Tirana, Albania
    Keida Ushtelenca is a Lecturer at Education and Health Department, Faculty of Movement Sciences at Sports University of Tirana. Received a Science Degree in PES. Current research interests in physical assessment with regard to physical education, sport.

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Published

2021-11-26

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 4 (2021)

Section

Articles

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