The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the functional movement screen (FMS) and a battery of stabilization, balance, and athletic performance assessments, including time to stabilization (TTS), Davies test (DT), Y-Balance test (YBT), and maximum vertical jump (VJ). Sixty-one healthy individuals (32 males, 29 females; age: 22.4 ± 2.7 yr; height: 174.4 ± 10.4 cm, body mass: 74.0 ± 18.8 kg), successfully performed the FMS and the accompanying comparison tests. Correlations were generated between the FMS and TTS, DT, YBT, and VJ (including both unilateral and bilateral assessments) using the R Project for Statistical Computing, with statistical significance set at p < .001 to minimize alpha inflation. Weak correlations were generated between participants' total FMS score (summed from the 7 FMS assessments) and the TTS-left side (r = -.43; p < 0.001), TTS-right side (r = -.35; p<0.006), DT (r = .54; p < 0.0001), and VJ (r = .33; p = 0.101). Moderately strong correlations were generated between total FMS scores and the YBT-left side (r = .69; p < 0.0001) and YBT-right side (r = .70; p < 0.0001). Similar weak significant correlations were generated when comparing the scores of each individual FMS screen with the TTS, DT, YBT, and VJ. Of these, the highest correlations were between the in-line lunge-left side and the YBT-left side (r = .72; p ≤ 0. 001); the in-line lunge-left side and YBT-right side (r = .75; p ≤ 0.001); the trunk stability push-up and VJ (r = .60; p < 0.0001); and the active straight leg raise-left side and TTS-left side (r = -.46; p < 0.0001). In summary, mostly weak correlations were found between the FMS (involving total or individual scores) and the comparison assessments employed in this study. More rigorous investigations are now warranted to determine the causality of these relationships and how the FMS might be applied to activity of daily living, athletic performance, and injury prevention.

Motor competence is positively associated with physical activity and health-related fitness (HRF) across childhood and adolescence. Owing to their motor difficulties, children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are found to have poorer HRF and lower activity levels compared to typically developing (TD) children. It is thought that children with DCD are less physically fit due in part to hypoactivity; however, it is still unclear how young these deficits emerge, or if physical activity explains these HRF differences. This thesis aims to fill these gaps by examining physical activity and HRF in preschool children with and without DCD, and testing mediation models linking motor competence to HRF through physical activity engagement, both cross-sectionally and over time from preschool to school age. The first and second studies demonstrated that preschool children with DCD exhibit poorer musculoskeletal and aerobic fitness compared to TD children, however physical activity engagement was similar and did not explain these fitness deficits. The third study found that the relationship between motor competence and physical activity was not significant at preschool age, but emerged over time as children reached school age. Additionally, motor competence was a significant positive predictor of musculoskeletal fitness across the early years, again largely independent of physical activity levels. This thesis represents the first comprehensive series of studies that examines objectively-measured motor competence, physical activity and HRF in large samples of preschool-age children both with and without DCD. These studies highlight that poor motor competence is a risk factor for poor physical fitness, irrespective of physical activity in the early childhood period. Early motor interventions may positively influence physical fitness and may help to prevent the declines in physical activity observed as children with DCD reach middle childhood and adolescence. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Children with motor coordination difficulties are more likely to be unfit and inactive compared to typically developing (TD) children. However, it is still not understood when these problems emerge, or if inactivity explains why children with motor difficulties are less physically fit. This thesis examines the links between motor competence, physical activity, and fitness in two large cohorts of preschool-age children. Results show that young children with motor difficulties are less physically fit, but are not less active than TD children. In addition, children with better motor skills become more active as they get older. Despite similar physical activity levels at preschool age, these findings highlight that poor motor abilities in early childhood are a risk factor for poor physical fitness and future inactivity. Interventions targeting motor skills in the early years may help children stay active and healthy as they age.

Sabe-se que um estilo de vida sedentário e uma condição aeróbica baixa são associados com uma maior chance de desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares e um maior risco de mortalidade por todas as causas. Contudo, é possível que outros indicadores de aptidão física possam ter significado clínico prognóstico. Originalmente proposto em 1999, o teste de sentar-levantar (TSL) é, simples de executar e possui comprovada reprodutibilidade inter e intra-avaliador. O avaliado inicia o teste com o escore máximo de 5 pontos para cada uma das ações de sentar e levantar, sendo subtraído do mesmo, um ponto para cada apoio extra utilizado (mão, braço e joelho) e meio ponto para cada desequilíbrio corporal perceptível. A pontuação do TSL escore, variando de 0 a 10, é realizada pela soma das ações de sentar e levantar. Considerando o potencial papel da flexibilidade para uma execução mais eficiente de gestos motores, não é surpreendente que o desempenho sobre TSL possa ser influenciado por essa valência. O objetivo desta dissertação foi analisar a relação entre o resultado do TSL e a mortalidade por todas as causas e a flexibilidade. No primeiro estudo, 2002 indivíduos entre 51 e 80 anos (68% homens), realizaram o TSL e os resultados foram estratificados em quatro faixas: 0/3; 3,5/5,5, 6/7,5 and 8/10. Baixos resultados no TSL escore foram associados com um maior risco de mortalidade (p<0,001). Uma tendência contínua de maior sobrevivência se refletiu no ajuste multivariado idade, sexo, índice de massa corporal em um razão de risco de 5,44 [95%IC=3,19,5], 3,44 [95%IC=2,05,9] e 1,84 [95%IC=1,13,0] (p<0,001) dos menores para as maiores faixas de resultados do TSL. Cada aumento de um ponto no escore do TSL significou uma melhora de 21% na sobrevivência. Já o segundo estudo, contou com 3927 indivíduos (67,4% homens) que realizaram o TSL e o Flexiteste. O Flexiteste avalia a amplitude máxima passiva de 20 movimentos corporais. Para cada um dos movimentos, existem cinco escores possíveis, 0 a 4 em uma ordem de mobilidade crescente. A soma dos resultados dos 20 movimentos fornece uma pontuação de flexibilidade global denominada de Flexíndice (FLX). Os resultados do FLX foram estratificados em quartis (626, 2735, 3644 and 4577). Os valores do TSL em cada quartil diferiram entre si (p<0,001). Além disso, o escore do TSL e o FLX foram diretamente associados (r=0,296; p<0,001). Os indivíduos com um TSL escore zero são menos flexíveis para todos os 20 movimentos do Flexiteste do que aqueles com escore 10. Portanto, os dados da presente dissertação, indicam que: o resultado do TSL se mostrou um importante preditor de mortalidade por todas as causas para indivíduos entre 51-80 anos de idade e que indivíduos mais flexíveis tendem a ter maiores escores no TSL. / It is known that a sedentary lifestyle and low aerobic fitness are associated with a greater chance of developing cardiovascular disease and increased risk of mortality from all causes. However, it is possible that other indicators of physical fitness may have clinical significance prognosis. Originally proposed in 1999, the sitting-rising test (SRT) is simple to perform and has proven its reliability. The individual begins the test with the maximum score of 5 points for each of the actions of sitting and rising, and being deducted a point for each extra support used (hand, arm and knee) and half a point for each body imbalance noticeable. The SRT score, ranging from 0 to 10, is performed by the sum of the actions of sitting and rising. Considering the potential role of flexibility for a more efficient execution of motor gestures, it is not surprising that the performance of SRT can be influenced by this valence. The aim of this thesis was to analyze association of SRT score and mortality for all-causes and lexibility. In the first study, 2002 individuals between 51 and 80 years (68% men) underwent the SRT and were stratified into four groups: 0/3, 3.5/5.5, 6/7.5 and 8/10. SRT results in low scores were associated with an increased risk of mortality (p <0.001). A continuous trend for longer survival was reflected by multivariate adjusted age, sex, body mass index - hazard ratios of 5.44 [95%CI=3.19.5], 3.44 [95%CI=2.05.9] and 1.84 [95%CI=1.13.0] (p<.001) from lower to higher SRT scores. Each unit increase in SRT score conferred a 21% improvement in survival. The second study included 3927 individuals (67.4% men) who performed the SRT and Flexitest. Flexitest evaluates the maximum passive range of motion of 20 body joint movements. For each one of the movements, there are five possible scores, 0 to 4 in a crescent mobility order. Adding the results of the 20 movements provides an overall flexibility score called Flexindex (FLX). The results of SRT scores were stratified into quartiles (6-26, 27-35, 36-44 and 45-77) and its FLX results differed between (p<0.001). SRT and FLX scores were moderately and positively associated (r = 0.296; p < 0.001). Besides, subjects with a zero SRT score are less flexible for all 20 Flexitest movements than those scoring 10.Therefore, the data of this thesis, showed that the SRT proved an important predictor of mortality from all causes for individuals between 51-80 years of age and that more flexible individuals tend to have higher scores on the SRT.

Sabe-se que um estilo de vida sedentário e uma condição aeróbica baixa são associados com uma maior chance de desenvolvimento de doenças cardiovasculares e um maior risco de mortalidade por todas as causas. Contudo, é possível que outros indicadores de aptidão física possam ter significado clínico prognóstico. Originalmente proposto em 1999, o teste de sentar-levantar (TSL) é, simples de executar e possui comprovada reprodutibilidade inter e intra-avaliador. O avaliado inicia o teste com o escore máximo de 5 pontos para cada uma das ações de sentar e levantar, sendo subtraído do mesmo, um ponto para cada apoio extra utilizado (mão, braço e joelho) e meio ponto para cada desequilíbrio corporal perceptível. A pontuação do TSL escore, variando de 0 a 10, é realizada pela soma das ações de sentar e levantar. Considerando o potencial papel da flexibilidade para uma execução mais eficiente de gestos motores, não é surpreendente que o desempenho sobre TSL possa ser influenciado por essa valência. O objetivo desta dissertação foi analisar a relação entre o resultado do TSL e a mortalidade por todas as causas e a flexibilidade. No primeiro estudo, 2002 indivíduos entre 51 e 80 anos (68% homens), realizaram o TSL e os resultados foram estratificados em quatro faixas: 0/3; 3,5/5,5, 6/7,5 and 8/10. Baixos resultados no TSL escore foram associados com um maior risco de mortalidade (p<0,001). Uma tendência contínua de maior sobrevivência se refletiu no ajuste multivariado idade, sexo, índice de massa corporal em um razão de risco de 5,44 [95%IC=3,19,5], 3,44 [95%IC=2,05,9] e 1,84 [95%IC=1,13,0] (p<0,001) dos menores para as maiores faixas de resultados do TSL. Cada aumento de um ponto no escore do TSL significou uma melhora de 21% na sobrevivência. Já o segundo estudo, contou com 3927 indivíduos (67,4% homens) que realizaram o TSL e o Flexiteste. O Flexiteste avalia a amplitude máxima passiva de 20 movimentos corporais. Para cada um dos movimentos, existem cinco escores possíveis, 0 a 4 em uma ordem de mobilidade crescente. A soma dos resultados dos 20 movimentos fornece uma pontuação de flexibilidade global denominada de Flexíndice (FLX). Os resultados do FLX foram estratificados em quartis (626, 2735, 3644 and 4577). Os valores do TSL em cada quartil diferiram entre si (p<0,001). Além disso, o escore do TSL e o FLX foram diretamente associados (r=0,296; p<0,001). Os indivíduos com um TSL escore zero são menos flexíveis para todos os 20 movimentos do Flexiteste do que aqueles com escore 10. Portanto, os dados da presente dissertação, indicam que: o resultado do TSL se mostrou um importante preditor de mortalidade por todas as causas para indivíduos entre 51-80 anos de idade e que indivíduos mais flexíveis tendem a ter maiores escores no TSL. / It is known that a sedentary lifestyle and low aerobic fitness are associated with a greater chance of developing cardiovascular disease and increased risk of mortality from all causes. However, it is possible that other indicators of physical fitness may have clinical significance prognosis. Originally proposed in 1999, the sitting-rising test (SRT) is simple to perform and has proven its reliability. The individual begins the test with the maximum score of 5 points for each of the actions of sitting and rising, and being deducted a point for each extra support used (hand, arm and knee) and half a point for each body imbalance noticeable. The SRT score, ranging from 0 to 10, is performed by the sum of the actions of sitting and rising. Considering the potential role of flexibility for a more efficient execution of motor gestures, it is not surprising that the performance of SRT can be influenced by this valence. The aim of this thesis was to analyze association of SRT score and mortality for all-causes and lexibility. In the first study, 2002 individuals between 51 and 80 years (68% men) underwent the SRT and were stratified into four groups: 0/3, 3.5/5.5, 6/7.5 and 8/10. SRT results in low scores were associated with an increased risk of mortality (p <0.001). A continuous trend for longer survival was reflected by multivariate adjusted age, sex, body mass index - hazard ratios of 5.44 [95%CI=3.19.5], 3.44 [95%CI=2.05.9] and 1.84 [95%CI=1.13.0] (p<.001) from lower to higher SRT scores. Each unit increase in SRT score conferred a 21% improvement in survival. The second study included 3927 individuals (67.4% men) who performed the SRT and Flexitest. Flexitest evaluates the maximum passive range of motion of 20 body joint movements. For each one of the movements, there are five possible scores, 0 to 4 in a crescent mobility order. Adding the results of the 20 movements provides an overall flexibility score called Flexindex (FLX). The results of SRT scores were stratified into quartiles (6-26, 27-35, 36-44 and 45-77) and its FLX results differed between (p<0.001). SRT and FLX scores were moderately and positively associated (r = 0.296; p < 0.001). Besides, subjects with a zero SRT score are less flexible for all 20 Flexitest movements than those scoring 10.Therefore, the data of this thesis, showed that the SRT proved an important predictor of mortality from all causes for individuals between 51-80 years of age and that more flexible individuals tend to have higher scores on the SRT.