Change, stability and prediction of gross motor co-ordination in Portuguese children

Abstract

Background: The knowledge about intra- and inter-individual variation can stimulate attempts at description, interpretation and prediction of motor co-ordination (MC).

Aim: To analyse change, stability and prediction of motor co-ordination (MC) in children.

Subjects and methods: A total of 158 children, 83 boys and 75 girls, aged 6, 7 and 8 years, were evaluated in 2006 and re-evaluated in 2012 at 12, 13 and 14 years of age. MC was assessed through the Kiphard-Schilling's body co-ordination test and growth, skeletal maturity, physical fitness, fundamental motor skills (FMS), physical activity and socioeconomic status (SES) were measured and/or estimated.

Results: Repeated-measures MANOVA indicated that there was a significant effect of group, sex and time on a linear combination of the MC tests. Univariate tests revealed that group 3 (8–14 years) scored significantly better than group 1 (6–12 years) in all MC tests and boys performed better than girls in hopping for height and moving sideways. Scores in MC were also higher at follow-up than at baseline. Inter-age correlations for MC were between 0.15–0.74. Childhood predictors of MC were growth, physical fitness, FMS, physical activity and SES. Biological maturation did not contribute to prediction of MC.

Conclusion: MC seemed moderately stable from childhood through adolescence and, additionally, inter-individual predictors at adolescence were growth, FMS, physical fitness, physical activity and SES.

• Biological maturation
• children
• co-ordination
• skills
• tracking

Acknowledgements

The “Healthy Growth of Madeira Study” was co-sponsored by the POPRAM III, within the scope of the European Social Funds, via CITMA and the Professional Qualification Centre. The second phase of this study was co-sponsored by the Government of Autonomous Region of Madeira through the Regional Secretary for Education and Human Resources.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.