Relationships between lifestyle and motor fitness in early-school children

Abstract Introduction Motor fitness is considered as an individual health measure. Its impact on human organism is extremely important during the early school years due to the intensive child's growth at that time. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the health behavior of early-school children and their motor fitness. Materials and methods A group of 60 school children attending I–III classes of a rural school was examined in June 2008. The children's motor fitness was determined by employing motor ability tests and interview questionnaires to categorize the children's lifestyles and nutritional patterns. Results were analyzed statistically. Results and discussion The majority of these school children presented a medium level of motor fitness. Children's opinions concerning their health status and nutritional patterns did not influence their motor fitness. However, a higher percentage of children with a high level of motor fitness was observed among those children with a positive attitude towards health promoting behaviors. A high level of motor fitness was found in about 50% of children spending their free time outdoors 2–3 times a week and a low level in over 57% of children seldom spending their free time outdoors. A higher percentage of children with a low fitness level was detected among those declaring contact with cigarettes and alcohol. Conclusions Such factors as physical activities during leisure time, children's opinions on their health status and nutritional patterns had only a slight influence on the levels of motor fitness.