Computer kids: lack of movement and physical fitness in childhood

The physical fitness of children was examined in a cross-sectional study. In addition to posture composition, strength of spine-stabilizing musculature, performance capability of coordination and endurance, the general leisure-time behaviour and sporting activities were ascertained through a questionnaire. Central issues were whether the performance capability of children is diminished today in comparison with several decades ago. To what extent, and in which form do sport disciplines have to be performed to achieve improvement in physical performance capability? More than 250 children from schools and clubs took part in this investigation. With regard to the extent of sporting activities, a group of children were examined that consisted of children who only participated in school sports, those who participated in supervised sports for all groups for 1-6 hi week, and those who were trained in competition-oriented groups up to 12 h a week. It was shown that a slight increase in sport activity leads to a significant improvement in coordination and endurance capability. A strength increase in the spine-stabilizing musculature can only be achieved by a considerable increase in sporting activity and a goal-directed selection of contents. The increase and stabilization in posture composition can only be realized by combining increase in strength and coordination capability to increase the kinaesthetic perceptibility.