Exercise and Evaluation for Health and Occupational Wellness: Current Trends and Future Directions—2nd Edition

Background: Early childhood is a critical period for the development of motor competence, which is closely related to later physical activity, educational readiness, and broader developmental outcomes. However, the temporal dynamics of motor skill acquisition in preschool children, particularly the time required to reach initial and early refinement phases of learning, remain insufficiently described. The aim of this study was to examine whether different levels of previous participation experience in an organized kinesiology program are associated with differences in the speed and quality of novel motor skill acquisition in preschool children, and to explore the relationship between baseline motor proficiency and phase-based indicators of motor learning. Methods: A total of 161 preschool children aged 5–6 years participated in the study and were grouped according to their previous participation experience in an organized kinesiology program (0 h, ~120 h, ~350 h, and ~470 h). Following BOT-2 assessment, all participants completed a standardized 7-week motor learning program that included nine previously unfamiliar motor tasks. Using a phase-based video analysis protocol, three learning indicators were recorded: time to Phase 1 (F1; first successful execution), time to Phase 2 (F2; initial refinement of performance), and final performance quality (K). Group differences and associations were first examined descriptively and correlationally, after which additional multivariable regression models were performed to determine whether previous participation experience and baseline motor proficiency were independently associated with motor learning outcomes. Results: The findings showed consistent differences across groups, with children who had greater previous participation experience generally reaching F1 and F2 more rapidly and achieving higher final performance quality scores. Higher BOT-2 scores were also associated with shorter learning times and better final performance quality. In the multivariable models, both previous participation experience in an organized kinesiology program and BOT-2 total score were independently associated with Phase 1 attainment time and final performance quality, whereas only previous participation experience remained independently associated with Phase 2 attainment time. The applied phase-based observational protocol demonstrated good to excellent inter-rater reliability across the evaluated motor learning variables. Conclusions: These findings provide phase-based temporal indicators of motor learning progression in preschool children and suggest that previous participation experience in an organized kinesiology program and baseline motor competence are meaningfully associated with the speed and quality of acquiring new motor tasks. The findings also demonstrate the potential of phase-based approaches for quantifying motor learning dynamics in early childhood settings. Such indicators may offer useful reference information for instructional pacing and the planning of motor learning activities, while also serving as practically relevant predictors for adapting future kinesiology programs to children’s motor readiness. Future research should further examine these relationships using longitudinal and analytically expanded designs. Full article

Background: Awkward postures are among the most prevalent ergonomic risk factors in occupational environments, including industrial settings. Conventional ergonomic risk assessments rarely address the relationship between sustained awkward postures and alterations in sagittal spinal curvatures. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the association between sagittal spinal posture parameters and exposure to awkward postures in male workers from the mattress manufacturing industry. The potential confounding effects of age, job seniority, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity level were also examined. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Data collected included age, job seniority, anthropometric variables, and physical activity level. Sagittal spinal posture parameters—head alignment, thoracic kyphotic curvature, lumbar lordotic curvature, and pelvic tilt—were assessed using photogrammetry. Exposure to awkward postures was recorded according to occupational health surveillance criteria. Results: A total of 116 male workers were randomly selected. BMI showed a significant negative association with head alignment (p = 0.001), with a medium effect size (η² = 0.090). Lower BMI values (β = −0.517) were observed in association with a more posterior head position. In addition, participants not exposed to awkward postures presented, on average, a 6.479° lower thoracic kyphotic curvature angle compared with exposed workers (p = 0.050), indicating a greater kyphotic curvature among those exposed. Conclusions: In this sample, lower BMI was associated with a more posterior head position and improved alignment with the upper trunk. Furthermore, exposure to awkward postures was related to a modest increase in thoracic kyphotic curvature, suggesting postural adaptations to occupational demands. Full article

Background: The cervical spine plays an important role in several daily activities of children and adolescents, and thus, its evaluation using reliable protocols is of crucial importance. This study examined the test–retest reliability of cervical strength protocols using indices of absolute (standard error of measurement—SEM and 95% limits of agreement—LOA) and relative reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient—ICC). Methods: Twenty prepubertal (9.10 ± 0.61 years old) and twenty pubertal boys (13.6 ± 0.6 years old) participated in two assessment sessions separated by 48 h. During both sessions, maximal isometric strength (forward flexion, extension, and right–left lateral flexion) was assessed using a handheld dynamometer, and then, the cervical flexion-to-extension ratio (cervical_F/E ratio) was calculated. Results: According to our data analysis, good absolute and relative reliability was denoted for prepubertal boys in all cervical movements (ICC = 0.81–0.90; SEM% = 5.82–8.62); conversely, pubertal boys denoted high relative and absolute reliability in all directions of movements (ICC = 0.90–0.96; SEM% = 3.8–5.5). The cervical_F/E ratio showed moderate reliability in prepubertal (ICC = 0.71; SEM% = 9.11) and pubertal boys (ICC = 0.78; SEM% = 7). Conclusions: In conclusion, the isometric strength of cervical muscles, using a handheld dynamometer, showed acceptable reliability in prepubertal and pubertal boys; however, prepubertal boys demonstrated slightly lower reliability. Additionally, the assessment of the cervical _F/E ratio should be interpreted with caution. However, it would be important to carry out future studies to strengthen the findings of the present study. Full article