( Roberton, 1977 ; Roberton, Williams, & Langendorfer, 1980 ), qualitatively distinct body actions (e.g., arm, leg) that show common patterns of change have been identified in a variety of skills such as throwing ( Halverson, Roberton, & Langendorfer, 1982 ; Roberton, 1978 ; Roberton, Halverson
Search Results
Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Overarm Throwing in Children With and Without Developmental Coordination Disorder
Nadja Schott and Nancy Getchell
Assessment of a Supine-to-Stand (STS) Task in Early Childhood: A Measure of Functional Motor Competence
Danielle Nesbitt, Sergio L. Molina, Maria Teresa Cattuzzo, Leah E. Robinson, David Phillips, and David Stodden
This paper examined relationships between qualitative (developmental sequences) and quantitative (time) performance in rising from a supine position in early childhood. One hundred twenty two children ranging in age from 3 to 5 years were videotaped for five trials of rising from a supine position. Children’s performance on the supine-to-stand (STS) task was quite variable in terms of both qualitative movement patterns and time (mean = 2.37 s, SD = .60). Results: Component sequences were moderately to strongly correlated with each other (r = .387 to .791). Upper-extremity (r = –.383) and axial (r = –.416) component levels also were inversely correlated with STS time. Results indicated a strong coordinative link between the development of trunk control (i.e., axial movement) and upper-extremity movement levels (r = .791), and together they demonstrated the strongest impact on the ability to rise quickly. These data provide important information relating to a child’s motor development that may have clinical relevance for diagnosis. It provides also a greater understanding on how to improve performance on this task. Future research should examine qualitative and quantitative aspects of STS performance to understand its predictive utility as a lifespan assessment of motor competence and its potential importance as a measure to predict healthrelated variables and functional capability across the lifespan.
Effectiveness of Interventions for Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder in Physical Therapy Contexts: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis
Nkechi Offor, Peace Ossom Williamson, and Priscila Caçola
Purpose:
The purpose of this systematic literature review and meta-analysis is to identify the types of interventions in physical therapy contexts that have been explored in children with developmental coordination disorder, the most common variables being addressed, and whether these interventions are effective.
Method:
This systematic search of MEDLINE, PEDro, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library identified interventions in physical therapy contexts for children and adolescents with DCD, and studies were screened using these criteria and assessed using the PEDro and NIH quality assessment scales. AMSTAR was used to evaluate systematic reviews and a meta-analysis was conducted.
Results:
From the articles reviewed, 29 articles of moderate to good quality were included in the qualitative analysis. Task-oriented approaches as well as motor skill training–based interventions have shown beneficial effects in improving motor function in children with DCD. Data from 14 articles was extracted for inclusion in the meta-analysis, providing support for the effectiveness of physical therapy interventions against inaction.
Conclusion:
Researchers recommend the use of task-oriented and traditional physical therapy interventions for children with DCD. In addition, interventions in physical therapy contexts need clear goals and outcome measures for individual children.
Fundamental Movement Skills in Children With and Without Movement Difficulties
Chantelle Zimmer, Kerri L. Staples, and William James Harvey
The performance of various fundamental movement skills is important for children with movement difficulties (MD) to be successful in physical education and play. The current study aimed to provide a detailed understanding of the aspects impaired in the performance of static and dynamic locomotor and object control skills among children with MD, identified with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, relative to their same-aged peers without MD. Children, 7–10 years, were recruited from three elementary schools. Eighteen children with MD (mean age = 9.14 years, SD = 0.97) and 18 without MD (mean age = 9.12 years, SD = 0.97) participated in the study. Quantitative and qualitative aspects of their movement performance were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2) and PE Metrics. Children with MD demonstrated significantly poorer performance than children without MD for locomotor skills on the PE Metrics and object control skills on both the TGMD-2 and PE Metrics. The findings of this study suggest that children with MD primarily demonstrate immature movement patterns, inefficient movement strategies, and impaired aspects of movement that impact their performance for dynamic object control skills.
Validity and Reliability of the Spanish Version of the Test of Gross Motor Development–3
Isaac Estevan, Javier Molina-García, Ana Queralt, Octavio Álvarez, Isabel Castillo, and Lisa Barnett
The Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD) is a process-oriented scale that provides qualitative information on children’s motor competence. The aim of the current study was to analyze the psychometric properties by examining the internal consistency and construct validity of the Spanish version of the TGMD-3. A sample of 178 typically developing children (47.5% girls) between the ages 3 and 11 years participated in this study. Reliability and the within-network psychometric properties of TGMD-3 were examined by using internal consistency and confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability indexes were excellent (> 0.89). A two-factor structure model was hypothesized and an alternative unifactorial model was also tested. Adequate fit indexes in both a two-factor model [ball skills seven items and locomotor skills six items (χ2 (64) = 139.200, p < .010, RMSEA = 0.073, SRMR = 0.050, NNFI = 0.964, CFI = 0.970)] and a one-factor model [(χ2 (65) = 157.666, p < .010, RMSEA = 0.084, SRMR = 0.055, NNFI = 0.956, CFI = 0.963)] were found. The Spanish version of the TGMD-3 is thus suitable for studying children’s actual motor competence level in terms of locomotor and ball skills and also in terms of fundamental movement skills.
Automated Classification of Manual Exploratory Behaviors Using Sensorized Objects and Machine Learning: A Preliminary Proof-of-Concept Study
Priya Patel, Harsh Pandya, Rajiv Ranganathan, and Mei-Hua Lee
high-risk infants and found that infants at high risk of ASD showed significantly more rotation and spinning behaviors. Although such qualitative assessments have provided insights on the developmental trajectory of these behaviors and their role as potential biomarkers, a critical weakness is that
Individual Solutions in Motor Learning: Combining Different Analyses
Vitor Leandro da Silva Profeta and Claisyellen Silva Campos
its local features ( Müller & Sternad, 2004 ; Sternad, 2018 ). Qualitative analysis of how an individual’s data cluster around the solution manifold may inform us about why certain individual solutions emerge ( Hossner et al., 2022 ; Wilson et al., 2016 ). Michaels et al. ( 2017 ) asked their
Validation of a Backswing Developmental Sequence for the Overarm Throw for Force
Bradley Beseler, Kathleen Williams, and Mandy S. Plumb
( Roberton & Konczak, 2001 ). Langendorfer ( 1980 ), cited in Roberton and Halverson ( 1984 ), originally proposed four levels to measure the backswing, describing qualitative differences hypothesized to change sequentially with time. The most immature pattern (Level 1) included no backward movement of the
The Development of Bilateral Skill Symmetry: Insights From Gaelic Football Players and Coaches
Karol Dillon, Paul Kinnerk, Ian Sherwin, and Philip E. Kearney
performance ( Connor et al., 2020 ; Greenwood et al., 2012 ; Otte et al., 2020 ). To date, the definition and development of bilateral skill symmetry has been investigated via a quantitative approach ( Giovanini et al., 2020 ; Guilherme et al., 2015 ; Marcori et al., 2021 ). A complimentary qualitative
The Path to Translating Focus of Attention Research into Canadian Physiotherapy, Part 2: Physiotherapist Interviews Reveal Impacting Factors and Barriers to Focus of Attention Use
Julia Hussien, Lauren Gignac, Lauren Shearer, and Diane M. Ste-Marie
attention motor learning research and where they obtained that awareness. A total quality framework approach to qualitative content analysis was undertaken for the interview data ( Roller, 2019 ; Roller & Lavrakas, 2015 ). Four researchers, consisting of two upper-level undergraduate students (Gignac and
