Marianna Bellafiore
Biographic Data
| ID | 1834477 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Marianna Bellafiore |
| GIVEN NAMES | Marianna |
| FAMILY NAME | Bellafiore |
| SIGNATURE | BELLAFIORE M |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Palermo |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3092-1666 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 10 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 2 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 10 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2020 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Domain-specific motor skill outcomes following a structured play-based motor intervention in preschool children: A cluster-randomized controlled trial
Background Fundamental motor skills (FMS) are key components of early motor competence and part of the physical competence domain of physical literacy. However, less is known about domain-specific effects of structured play-based motor programs in preschool children and whether these effects vary by baseline motor competence and age. Materials and methods This cluster-randomized controlled trial included 160 children aged 3–6 years from eight pre…
Impact of Covid-19 restrictions on motor coordination in Italian school-aged children
Introduction The development of motor coordination (MC) is essential during childhood and is closely influenced by opportunities for physical activity (PA) and sports participation. The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions may have altered children's motor experiences and the related MC development. To what extent MC has changed in Italian school-aged children from before the pandemic until its end and beyond remains unclear. The aim of thi…
The interplay between cognitive, affective, and physical activity correlates in older adults
Overall, the findings suggest that physical activity is associated with specific cognitive processes and with broader psychological resources in later adulthood. These results highlight the relevance of targeted interventions aimed at promoting physical activity to support cognitive and emotional functioning, and psychological well-being in aging populations
Effects of sports experience on children's gross motor coordination level
BackgroundGross motor coordination (GMC) development could be influenced by age, gender, weight status, geographical area, living setting, home environment, socio-economic status, sports practice.PurposeTo verify whether practicing sports and practicing different sports could influence children's GMC level.MethodsA total of 295 children aged 8-11 years were involved in the study and divided into 5 groups in relation to the sport they practiced: g…
Körperkoordinations test für Kinder: A short form is not fully satisfactory
Assessment of motor competence (MC) is crucial to finding deficiencies in children's motor development. Because of the need to ensure validity, reliability, and feasibility, the selection of contemporary testing batteries is a difficult task. Many papers report the validity of the KTK test in describing MC in school aged children. KTK consists of 4 four separate items: walking back, jumping sideways, moving sideways, and hopping for height. Some …
An Interaction Path of Mothers’ and Preschoolers’ Food- and Physical Activity-Related Aspects in Disadvantaged Sicilian Urban Areas
Background : The relationship between mothers and their children's lifestyle is still unclear, especially in disadvantaged areas. Consequently, the study aims to identify a path explaining the extent to which maternal eating habits and physical activity (PA) level predict food-related aspects, PA practice and Quotient of Gross Motor Development (QGMD) in preschoolers from disadvantaged urban areas. Methods : In this cross-sectional study, a total…
Upper and Lower Limb Strength and Body Posture in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Observational Case-Control Study
These findings seem to suggest that CH does not affect muscle strength in early treated children. However, these patients show poor postural control ability and asymmetric plantar loading distribution. Increasing the physical activity in these children could improve their body posture
Validity and Internal Consistency of the Preschool-FLAT, a New Tool for the Assessment of Food Literacy in Young Children from the Training-To-Health Project
The preschool-FLAT revealed good psychometric properties, adequate validity and internal consistency. This is the only instrument in the literature specifically targeted to 3-6 years old children that could be effectively used to assess food literacy
Food literacy predictors and associations with physical and emergent literacy in pre-schoolers: Results from the Training-to-Health Project
Objective: Food literacy (FL) is a crucial need encompassing basic literacy and fundamental movement skills. The present study aimed to investigate the FL level in pre-schoolers and to evaluate the effect of potential predictors and the associations with gross motor and emergent literacy skills. Design: Cross-sectional study conducted within the Training-to-Health Project. Setting: Kindergartens ( n 21) in the Palermo City Council, Italy. Partici…
Effectiveness of a Physical Education Program on the Motor and Pre-literacy Skills of Preschoolers From the Training-To-Health Project: A Focus on Weight Status
Many studies reported a positive relationship between motor skills, cognitive functions, and school performance in school-age children; however, little is known in preschool children. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of a physical education program (PEP) on locomotor, object control skills, and pre-literacy cognitive functions in a wide population of preschoolers and verify whether weight status could influence th…
Effects of sports experience on children's gross motor coordination level
BackgroundGross motor coordination (GMC) development could be influenced by age, gender, weight status, geographical area, living setting, home environment, socio-economic status, sports practice.PurposeTo verify whether practicing sports and practicing different sports could influence children's GMC level.MethodsA total of 295 children aged 8-11 years were involved in the study and divided into 5 groups in relation to the sport they practiced: g…
Effectiveness of a Physical Education Program on the Motor and Pre-literacy Skills of Preschoolers From the Training-To-Health Project: A Focus on Weight Status
Many studies reported a positive relationship between motor skills, cognitive functions, and school performance in school-age children; however, little is known in preschool children. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of a physical education program (PEP) on locomotor, object control skills, and pre-literacy cognitive functions in a wide population of preschoolers and verify whether weight status could influence th…
Upper and Lower Limb Strength and Body Posture in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Observational Case-Control Study
These findings seem to suggest that CH does not affect muscle strength in early treated children. However, these patients show poor postural control ability and asymmetric plantar loading distribution. Increasing the physical activity in these children could improve their body posture
Validity and Internal Consistency of the Preschool-FLAT, a New Tool for the Assessment of Food Literacy in Young Children from the Training-To-Health Project
The preschool-FLAT revealed good psychometric properties, adequate validity and internal consistency. This is the only instrument in the literature specifically targeted to 3-6 years old children that could be effectively used to assess food literacy
Food literacy predictors and associations with physical and emergent literacy in pre-schoolers: Results from the Training-to-Health Project
Objective: Food literacy (FL) is a crucial need encompassing basic literacy and fundamental movement skills. The present study aimed to investigate the FL level in pre-schoolers and to evaluate the effect of potential predictors and the associations with gross motor and emergent literacy skills. Design: Cross-sectional study conducted within the Training-to-Health Project. Setting: Kindergartens ( n 21) in the Palermo City Council, Italy. Partici…
Effectiveness of a Physical Education Program on the Motor and Pre-literacy Skills of Preschoolers From the Training-To-Health Project: A Focus on Weight Status
Many studies reported a positive relationship between motor skills, cognitive functions, and school performance in school-age children; however, little is known in preschool children. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of a physical education program (PEP) on locomotor, object control skills, and pre-literacy cognitive functions in a wide population of preschoolers and verify whether weight status could influence th…
An Interaction Path of Mothers’ and Preschoolers’ Food- and Physical Activity-Related Aspects in Disadvantaged Sicilian Urban Areas
Background : The relationship between mothers and their children's lifestyle is still unclear, especially in disadvantaged areas. Consequently, the study aims to identify a path explaining the extent to which maternal eating habits and physical activity (PA) level predict food-related aspects, PA practice and Quotient of Gross Motor Development (QGMD) in preschoolers from disadvantaged urban areas. Methods : In this cross-sectional study, a total…
Körperkoordinations test für Kinder: A short form is not fully satisfactory
Assessment of motor competence (MC) is crucial to finding deficiencies in children's motor development. Because of the need to ensure validity, reliability, and feasibility, the selection of contemporary testing batteries is a difficult task. Many papers report the validity of the KTK test in describing MC in school aged children. KTK consists of 4 four separate items: walking back, jumping sideways, moving sideways, and hopping for height. Some …
Effects of sports experience on children's gross motor coordination level
BackgroundGross motor coordination (GMC) development could be influenced by age, gender, weight status, geographical area, living setting, home environment, socio-economic status, sports practice.PurposeTo verify whether practicing sports and practicing different sports could influence children's GMC level.MethodsA total of 295 children aged 8-11 years were involved in the study and divided into 5 groups in relation to the sport they practiced: g…
Domain-specific motor skill outcomes following a structured play-based motor intervention in preschool children: A cluster-randomized controlled trial
Background Fundamental motor skills (FMS) are key components of early motor competence and part of the physical competence domain of physical literacy. However, less is known about domain-specific effects of structured play-based motor programs in preschool children and whether these effects vary by baseline motor competence and age. Materials and methods This cluster-randomized controlled trial included 160 children aged 3–6 years from eight pre…
Impact of Covid-19 restrictions on motor coordination in Italian school-aged children
Introduction The development of motor coordination (MC) is essential during childhood and is closely influenced by opportunities for physical activity (PA) and sports participation. The COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions may have altered children's motor experiences and the related MC development. To what extent MC has changed in Italian school-aged children from before the pandemic until its end and beyond remains unclear. The aim of thi…
The interplay between cognitive, affective, and physical activity correlates in older adults
Overall, the findings suggest that physical activity is associated with specific cognitive processes and with broader psychological resources in later adulthood. These results highlight the relevance of targeted interventions aimed at promoting physical activity to support cognitive and emotional functioning, and psychological well-being in aging populations
Children's Physical and Motor Development (7 works) · Motor skill (7 works) · Developmental psychology (6 works) · Gross motor skill (6 works) · Medicine (6 works) · Psychology (6 works) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (4 works) · Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders (3 works) · Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues (3 works) · Jumping (3 works)