Early Movement Matters: Interplay of Physical Activity and Motor Skill Development in Infants With Down Syndrome

in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly

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Janet L. HauckMichigan State University

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Isabella T. Felzer-KimMichigan State University

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Kathryn L. GwizdalaMichigan State University

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2019-0012
Keywords:
accelerometer; Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III; fine motor; gross motor; longitudinal; trisomy 21
First Published Online:
27 Feb 2020
In Print:
Volume 37: Issue 2
Page Range:
160–176
Restricted access

This longitudinal study investigated monthly motor development and physical activity (PA) of infants with and without Down syndrome. Gross and fine motor skills (Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III) and PA (accelerometer) were assessed in 35 infants at eight time points during infancy. A multivariate mixed model identified time points when motor scores diverged between the groups. In infants with Down syndrome, bivariate correlations between monthly PA and motor changes were calculated, and multivariate analysis of variance probed the influence of early PA on motor-skill timing. Results indicate that differences in gross and fine motor skills first emerge at 2 and 4 months, respectively. In infants with Down syndrome, gross motor and PA changes between 4 and 6 months were positively correlated. Infants more active than the mean at 2 or 3 months achieved several prone and sitting skills earlier. These results highlight the adaptability of early infancy and the importance of early intervention.

The authors are with the Dept. of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

Felzer-Kim (felzerki@msu.edu) is corresponding author.
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