Developmental coordination disorder in preterm children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study aimed to review the prevalence of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in individuals born preterm and systematically explore this prevalence according to gestational age and different assessment cut-offs and compare it to full-term peers. The eligibility criteria were observational and experimental studies reporting the prevalence of DCD in preterm individuals. A systematic search was performed in databases from inception until March 2022. Two independent reviewers performed the selection. Study quality assessment was performed using the checklists from Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Data analysis was performed on Excel and Review Manager Software 5.4. Among the 1774 studies identified, 32 matched the eligibility criteria. The pooled estimate rate of the DCD rate in preterm was 21% (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.8-24.3). The estimate rates were higher as gestational age decreased, and preterm children are two times more likely to have DCD than their full-term peers risk ratio (RR) 2.2 (95% CI 1.77-2.79). The limitation was high heterogeneity between studies; the assessment tools, cut-off points and age at assessment were diverse. This study provided evidence that preterm children are at higher risk for DCD than full-term children, and the risks increased as gestational age decreased.

Motor Competence and Body Mass Index in the Preschool Years: A Pooled Cross-Sectional Analysis of 5545 Children from Eight Countries.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: One in five preschool children are overweight/obese, and increased weight status over time increases the risks of poorer future health. Motor skill competence may be a protective factor, giving children the ability to participate in health-enhancing physical activity. Yet, we do not know when the relationship between motor competence and weight status first emerges or whether it is evident across the body mass index (BMI) spectrum. This study examined the association between motor skill competence and BMI in a multi-country sample of 5545 preschoolers (54.36 ± 9.15 months of age; 50.5% boys) from eight countries. METHODS: Quantile regression analyses were used to explore the associations between motor skill competence (assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second/Third Edition) and quantiles of BMI (15th; 50th; 85th; and 97th percentiles), adjusted for sex, age in months, and country. RESULTS: Negative associations of locomotor skills, ball skills, and overall motor skill competence with BMI percentiles (p < 0.005) were seen, which became stronger at the higher end of the BMI distribution (97th percentile). Regardless of sex, for each raw score point increase in locomotor skills, ball skills, and overall motor skill competence scores, BMI is reduced by 8.9%, 6.8%, and 5.1%, respectively, for those preschoolers at the 97th BMI percentile onwards. CONCLUSIONS: Public health policies should position motor skill competence as critical for children's obesity prevention from early childhood onwards. Robust longitudinal and experimental designs are encouraged to explore a possible causal pathway between motor skill competence and BMI from early childhood.

The Influence of Motor Competence on Broader Aspects of Health: A Systematic Review of the Longitudinal Associations Between Motor Competence and Cognitive and Social-Emotional Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Motor competence has important developmental associations with aspects of physical health, but there has been no synthesis of longitudinal associations with cognitive and social-emotional health. OBJECTIVES: The first aim was to present a conceptual model that positions motor competence as a mediator between physical activity and cognitive and social-emotional outcomes. The second aim was to synthesize the association of motor competence and cognitive and social-emotional development using longitudinal observational and experimental evidence, in particular to (i) identify the role of task, individual, and environmental characteristics in moderating the association between motor and cognitive and social-emotional outcomes and (ii) synthesize the strength of evidence pertaining to domain-specific relationships. METHODS: This systematic review was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, and SPORTDiscus) were systematically searched. Following study screening and risk-of-bias assessment by two authors, 49 eligible studies were identified for inclusion and grouped by study design. Evidence for domain-specific paths between motor competence and cognitive and social-emotional outcomes was synthesized by calculating the significant analyses in the hypothesized direction, divided by the total number of analyses for that path. These percentages were then collated for each domain outcome. This collated influence was classified as either no association (0-33%), written as '0', or indeterminate/inconsistent (34-59%), written as '?' If there were fewer than three studies in the domain, the strength of evidence was classified as insufficient (I). RESULTS: Of the 49 studies, 35% were able to satisfy six or more of the seven risk-of-bias criteria. Longitudinal observational evidence about domain-specific and global associations of motor competence and cognitive and social-emotional development is indeterminate. The included studies also did not provide evidence for a consistent moderating role of age and sex. Some preliminary experimental evidence does support the role of motor competence in moderating the influence of cognitively enriched physical activity on cognitive outcomes, especially working memory and social-emotional skills. However, too few studies were appropriately designed to acknowledge the moderating role of contextual mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS: Between-study heterogeneity means it was not possible to identify definitive domain- and construct-specific relationships between motor competence and cognitive and social-emotional outcomes. To further develop our understanding, it is important that researchers acknowledge the complexity of these relationships within rigorous study designs.

Motor, Physical, and Psychosocial Parameters of Children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Comparative and Associative Study.

(1) Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a chronic impairment that affects several domains that mark the developmental trajectory from childhood to adulthood. Aim: This study examined the differences in physical and psychosocial factors for children with DCD and typical development (TD) and the associations between these factors with gross motor coordination. (2) Methods: Children with DCD (n = 166; age: M = 8.74, SD = 2.0) and TD (n = 243; Age: M = 8.94; SD = 2.0) attending private and public schools were screened using the MABC-2. Children were then assessed using the Körperkoordination test für Kinder (gross coordination), the Perceived Efficacy and Goal Setting System (self-efficacy), horizontal jump (lower limb strength), and dynamometer (handgrip strength). A semi-structured interview was carried out to examine the oriented physical activity practice in the daily routine, the time spent in the activities, and the use of public spaces to practice non-oriented physical activities. (3) Results: Children with TD showed scores significantly higher than children with DCD in almost all factors with small to very large effect sizes; the exceptions were self-care and daily physical activity. The structural equation model showed that for children with DCD, the BMI explained negatively and significantly the motor coordination (b = -0.19, p = 0.019), whereas physical activity (b = 0.25, p < 0.001), lower limb strength (b = 0.38, p < 0.001), and perceived self-efficacy (b = 0.19, p = 0.004) explained it positively. For children with TD, the BMI explained negatively and significantly the motor coordination (b = -0.23, p = 0.002), whereas physical activity (b = 0.25, p < 0.001) and lower limb strength (b = 0.32, p < 0.001) explained it positively. (4) Conclusions: The authors extended previous research by providing evidence that factors affecting motor coordination vary across childhood for children with DCD and TD. Self-efficacy was relevant only in explaining motor coordination for children with DCD.

Through the Looking Glass: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Evidence, Providing New Insight for Motor Competence and Health.

INTRODUCTION: In 2008, a conceptual model explaining the role of motor competence (MC) in children's physical activity (PA), weight status, perceived MC and health-related fitness was published. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current review was to systematically compile mediation, longitudinal and experimental evidence in support of this conceptual model. METHODS: This systematic review (registered with PROSPERO on 28 April 2020) was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Separate searches were undertaken for each pathway of interest (final search 8 November 2019) using CINAHL Complete, ERIC, Medline (OVID), PsycINFO, Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus and SportDiscus. Potential articles were initially identified through abstract and title checking (N = 585) then screened further and combined into one review (n = 152), with 43 articles identified for extraction. Studies needed to be original and peer reviewed, include typically developing children and adolescents first assessed between 2 and 18 years and objective assessment of gross MC and at least one other variable (i.e., PA, weight status, perceived MC, health-related fitness). PA included sport participation, but sport-specific samples were excluded. Longitudinal or experimental designs and cross-sectional mediated models were sought. Strength of evidence was calculated for each pathway in both directions for each domain (i.e., skill composite, object control and locomotor/coordination/stability) by dividing the proportion of studies indicating a significantly positive pathway in the hypothesised direction by the total associations examined for that pathway. Classifications were no association (0-33%), indeterminate/inconsistent (34-59%), or a positive '+' or negative ' - ' association (≥ 60%). The latter category was classified as strong evidence (i.e., ++or --) when four or more studies found an association. If the total number of studies in a domain of interest was three or fewer, this was considered insufficient evidence to make a determination. RESULTS: There was strong evidence in both directions for a negative association between MC and weight status. There was strong positive evidence for a pathway from MC to fitness and indeterminate evidence for the reverse. There was indeterminate evidence for a pathway from MC to PA and no evidence for the reverse pathway. There was insufficient evidence for the MC to perceived MC pathway. There was strong positive evidence for the fitness-mediated MC/PA pathway in both directions. There was indeterminate evidence for the perceived MC-mediated pathway from PA to MC and no evidence for the reverse. CONCLUSION: Bidirectional longitudinal associations of MC with weight status are consistent with the model authored by Stodden et al. (Quest 2008;60(2):290-306, 2008). However, to test the whole model, the field needs robust longitudinal studies across childhood and adolescence that include all variables in the model, have multiple time points and account for potential confounding factors. Furthermore, experimental studies that examine change in MC relative to change in the other constructs are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATIONS: PROSPERO ID# CRD42020155799.

Early Detection of Cognitive, Language, and Motor Delays for Low-Income Preterm Infants: A Brazilian Cohort Longitudinal Study on Infant Neurodevelopment and Maternal Practice.

Aim: This study examined the neurodevelopment trajectories, the prevalence of delays, and the risks and protective factors (adverse outcomes, environment, and maternal factors) associated with cognitive, motor, and language development for preterm infants from 4- to 24-months. Method: We assessed 186 preterm infants (24.7% extremely preterm; 54.8% very preterm; 20.4% moderate/late preterm) from 4- to 24-months using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development - III. Maternal practices and knowledge were assessed using the Daily Activities of Infant Scale and the Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory. Birth risks and adverse outcomes were obtained from infant medical profiles. Results: A high prevalence of delays was found; red flags for delays at 24-months were detected at 4- and 8-months of age. The neurodevelopmental trajectories showed steady scores across time for cognitive composite scores for extremely- and very-preterm infants and for language composite scores for the extremely- and moderate/late-preterm; a similar trend was observed for the motor trajectories of moderate/late preterm. Changes over time were restricted to motor composite scores for extremely- and very-preterm infants and for cognitive composite scores for moderate/late preterm; declines, stabilization, and improvements were observed longitudinally. Positive, strong, and significant correlations were for the neurodevelopment scores at the first year of life and later neurodevelopment at 18 and 24 months. The cognitive, language, and motor composite scores of extremely and very preterm groups were associated with more risk factors (adverse outcomes, environment, and maternal factors). However, for moderate/late preterm infants, only APGAR and maternal practices significantly explained the variance in neurodevelopment. Discussion: Although adverse outcomes were strongly associated with infant neurodevelopment, the environment and the parents' engagement in play and breastfeeding were protective factors for most preterm infants. Intervention strategies for preterm infants should start at 4- to 8-months of age to prevent unwanted outcomes later in life.

Intra-Rater (Live vs. Video Assessment) and Inter-Rater (Expert vs. Novice) Reliability of the Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition.

The Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD) is one of the most common tools for assessing the fundamental movement skills (FMS) in children between 3 and 10 years. This study aimed to examine the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the TGMD-3rd Edition (TGMD-3) between expert and novice raters using live and video assessment. Five raters [2 experts and 3 novices (one of them BSc in Physical Education and Sport Science)] assessed and scored the performance of the TGMD-3 of 25 healthy children [Female: 60%; mean (standard deviation) age 9.16 (1.31)]. Schoolchildren were attending at one public elementary school during the academic year 2019-2020 from Santiago de Compostela (Spain). Raters scored each children performance through two viewing moods (live and slow-motion). The ICC (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient) was used to determine the agreement between raters. Our results showed moderate-to-excellent intra-rater reliability for overall score and locomotor and ball skills subscales; moderate-to-good inter-rater reliability for overall and ball skills; and poor-to-good for locomotor subscale. Higher intra-rater reliability was achieved by the expert raters and novice rater with physical education background compared to novice raters. However, the inter-rater reliability was more variable in all the raters regardless of their experience or background. No significant differences in reliability were found when comparing live and video assessments. For clinical practice, it would be recommended that raters reach an agreement before the assessment to avoid subjective interpretations that might distort the results.

The development of a short form of the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 in Brazilian children: Validity and reliability.

BACKGROUND: Assessing children's motor skills is important for identifying children with delays, measuring learning, and determining teaching effectiveness. One popular assessment for measuring fundamental motor skills in children is the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2). Although the TGMD-2 long form is widely known, a short form of the TGMD-2 has not been yet proposed and investigated. The aim of this study was to develop a short form of the TGMD-2 and to examine its validity, interrater reliability and test-retest reliability. METHOD: Data from 2,463 Brazilian children were analyzed. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was used to investigate the validity of reducing the number of TGMD-2 skills. RESULTS: The short-form version of the TGMD-2 with six skills has appropriate indices of confirmatory factorial validity (root mean square error of approximation: 0.06, 90% confidence interval [0.06, 0.07]; comparative fit index: 0.94; normed fit index: 0.94: Tucker-Lewis index: 0.83; goodness-of-fit index: 0.98; adjusted goodness-of-fit index: 0.95), internal consistency (α = 0.70 for the overall test), interrater and intrarater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients values from 0.81 to 0.96) and test-retest reliability (r values from 0.55 to 0.95). CONCLUSIONS: From these findings, practitioners now have a valid and reliable, short form of the TGMD-2 for use in assessing children's motor skill competence; promoting wider use of the test for screening and pedagogical purposes.

Obesity and Overweight Among Brazilian Early Adolescents: Variability Across Region, Socioeconomic Status, and Gender.

INTRODUCTION: As with most emerging nations, Brazil lacks up-to-date data on the prevalence of obesity and overweight among its children. Of particular concern is the lack of data on children in early adolescence, considered by many to be the crucial stage for weight-related healthcare. OBJECTIVE: To assess regional, socioeconomic, and gender differences in the prevalence of obesity and overweight among Brazilian early adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a racially diverse sample of students aged 10-13 years, from schools in three geographic regions (north, northeast, south) (N = 1,738). Data on gender, age, race, socioeconomic status (SES), weight, and height were obtained. Weight class was calculated from age- and gender-adjusted body mass index, based on children's weight and height. Bivariate and multivariable analyses, with post hoc tests, were conducted to estimate differences between groups and were corrected for multiple comparisons. Procedures were approved by institutional review boards at study sites. RESULTS: Analyses revealed a higher prevalence of obesity and/or overweight among: (1) children of higher SES; (2) children in southern Brazil; (3) males; and (4) Black females. CONCLUSION: The most salient predictor of weight risk among Brazilian early adolescents is higher SES. This finding is consistent with previous findings of an inverse social gradient, in weight risk, among emerging-nation population groups.

Children and Adults Both Learn Motor Sequences Quickly, But Do So Differently.

Both children and adults can learn motor sequences quickly in one learning session, yet little is known about potential age-related processes that underlie this fast sequence acquisition. Here, we examined the progressive performance changes in a one-session modified serial reaction time task in 6- and 10-year-old children and adults. We found that rapid sequence learning, as reflected by reaction time (RT), was comparable between groups. The learning was expressed through two behavioral processes: online progressive changes in RT while the task was performed in a continuous manner and offline changes in RT that emerged following a short rest. These offline and online RT changes were age-related; learning in 6-year-olds was primarily reflected through the offline process. In contrast, learning in adults was reflected through the online process; and both online and offline processes occurred concurrently in 10-year-olds. Our results suggest that early rapid sequence learning has a developmental profile. Although the unifying mechanism underlying these two age-related processes is unclear, we discuss possible explanations that need to be systematically elucidated in future studies.

Brazilian infant motor and cognitive development: Longitudinal influence of risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Infant developmental delays have been associated with several risk factors, such as familial environmental, individual and demographic characteristics. The goal of this study was to longitudinally investigate the effects of maternal knowledge and practices, home environment and biological factors on infant motor and cognitive outcomes. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study with a sample of 49 infants from Southern Brazil. The infants were assessed three times over 4 months using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and the Bayley Scale of Infant Development (Mental Development Scale). Parents completed the Daily Activities Scale of Infants, the Affordances in The Home Environment for Motor Development - Infant Scale, the Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory and a demographic questionnaire. Generalized estimating equation with Bonferroni method as the follow-up test and Spearman correlation and multivariate linear backward regression were used. RESULTS: Cognitive and motor scores were strongly associated longitudinally and increased over time. Associations between the home affordances, parental practices and knowledge, and motor and cognitive development over time were observed. This relationship explained more variability in motor and cognitive scores compared with biological factors. CONCLUSIONS: Variability in motor and cognitive development is better explained by environment and parental knowledge and practice. The investigation of factors associated with infant development allows the identification of infants at risk and the implementation of educational programs and parental training to minimize the effects of developmental delay.

Como funciona a Memória de Trabalho? Influências na aprendizagem de crianças com dificuldades de aprendizagem e crianças com desordem coordenativa desenvolvimental (AU) / How the Working Memory functioning? Influences in learning of children with typical development and development coordination disorder (AU)

Crianças com dificuldades de aprendizagem podem apresentar limitações na capacidade de armazenar e/ou organizar informações processadas de forma adequada e precisa para a execução de tarefas escolares e/ou motoras. A memória de trabalho, também chamada de memória de curto prazo, é uma variável de cognição amplamente investigada nos últimos anos. Os objetivos desta revisão sistemática de literatura foram: (1) verificar a função dos componentes da memória de trabalho; (2) verificar a influência da memória de trabalho no desempenho cognitivo e nas dificuldades de aprendizagem de crianças em idade escolar; (3) verificar as limitações da memória de trabalho em crianças com Desordem Coordenativa Desenvolvimental. A busca por artigos ocorreu entre fevereiro e maio de 2013. Foram utilizadas as bases de dados PubMed e EBSCO, resultando em um total de 60 artigos incluídos. A memória de trabalho repercute na aprendizagem e déficits específicos são observados em crianças escolares com dificuldades de aprendizagem bem como em crianças com Desordem Coordenativa Desenvolvimental...

Children with learning disabilities may have limitations on the ability to store and / or organize information properly handled and need for implementation of school and / or motor tasks. Working memory,also called short-term memory, cognition is a variable widely investigated in recent years. The objectives of this systematic literature review were: (1) verify the function of the components of working memory in school-age children; (2) verify the influence of working memory in cognitive performance and learning difficulties of children of school age; (3) verify the limitations of working memory in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder. The search for articles occurred between February and May 2013. The PubMed and EBSCO data, resulting in a total of 60 included articles were used. Working memory affects the learning and specific deficits are observed in school-age children with learning difficulties as well as in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder...

Postural control in children born at term according to the alberta infant motor scale: comparison between sexes / Controle postural em crianças nascidas a termo segundo a alberta infant motor scale: diferenças entre os sexos

INTRODUCTION: acquisitions and changes in the motor and cognitive development of boys and girls are related not only to existing biological differences between both sexes, but also to socio-economic, cultural and family factors OBJECTIVE: to investigate the differences between sexes in the acquisition of anti-gravitational postures METHODS: the participants in this study were 638 children born at term (324 males and 314 females), from 0 to 18 months, coming from Infant Education Schools in the south of Brazil. The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) was used to evaluate motor performance RESULTS: most of the evaluated children showed normal motor performance for their age (69.7%), with nonlinear development and plateaus in postural acquisition from 15 months. There were not significant differences (p>0.05) in motor performance between boys and girls from 0 to 18 months CONCLUSION: motor development was similar between the sexes in the first months of life. However, throughout childhood, sociocultural differences and parents' practices seem to influence differently the process of motor acquisition and development of skills, since children are exposed to experiences in conformity with sex expectations.(AU)

INTRODUÇÃO: as aquisições e mudanças no desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo de meninos e meninas não estão relacionadas apenas as diferenças biológicas existentes entre os sexos, mas também a fatores sócio econômicos, culturais e familiares OBJETIVO: investigar as diferenças entre os sexos nas aquisições posturais antigravitacionais MÉTODOS: participaram deste estudo, 638 crianças nascidas atermo, de 0 a 18 meses (324 meninos e 314 meninas), residentes no Sul do Brasil, provenientes de Escolas de Educação Infantil. A Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) foi utilizada para avaliar o desempenho motor RESULTADOS: a maioria das crianças avaliadas demonstrou desempenho motor normal para idade (69,7%), com desenvolvimento não linear e aparecimento de platôs nas aquisições posturais a partir dos 15 meses. Não foram detectadas diferenças significativas (p > 0,05) entre o desempenho motor de meninos e meninas dos 0 aos 18 meses de idade CONCLUSÃO: o desenvolvimento motor foi semelhante entre os sexos nos primeiros anos de vida. Entretanto destaca-se que com o passar dos anos as diferenças sócio culturais e de práticas parentais exercem influências sobre o processo de aquisição e desenvolvimento de habilidades motoras, uma vez que, as crianças tem sido sendo expostas a experiências de acordo com as expectativas para cada gênero.(AU)

Controle postural em crianças nascidas a termo segundo a alberta infant motor scale: diferenças entre os sexos / Postural control in children born at term according to the alberta infant motor scale: comparison between sexes

Acquisitions and changes in the motor and cognitive development of boys and girls are related not only to existing biological differences between both sexes, but also to socio-economic, cultural and family factors OBJECTIVE: to investigate the differences between sexes in the acquisition of anti-gravitational postures METHODS: the participants in this study were 638 children born at term (324 males and 314 females), from 0 to 18 months, coming from Infant Education Schools in the south of Brazil. The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) was used to evaluate motor performance RESULTS: most of the evaluated children showed normal motor performance for their age (69.7%), with nonlinear development and plateaus in postural acquisition from 15 months. There were not significant differences (p>0.05) in motor performance between boys and girls from 0 to 18 months CONCLUSION: motor development was similar between the sexes in the first months of life. However, throughout childhood, sociocultural differences and parents' practices seem to influence differently the process of motor acquisition and development of skills, since children are exposed to experiences in conformity with sex expectations...

As aquisições e mudanças no desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo de meninos e meninas não estão relacionadas apenas as diferenças biológicas existentes entre os sexos, mas também a fatores sócio econômicos, culturais e familiares OBJETIVO: investigar as diferenças entre os sexos nas aquisições posturais antigravitacionais MÉTODOS: participaram deste estudo, 638 crianças nascidas atermo, de 0 a 18 meses (324 meninos e 314 meninas), residentes no Sul do Brasil, provenientes de Escolas de Educação Infantil. A Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) foi utilizada para avaliar o desempenho motor RESULTADOS: a maioria das crianças avaliadas demonstrou desempenho motor normal para idade (69,7%), com desenvolvimento não linear e aparecimento de platôs nas aquisições posturais a partir dos 15 meses. Não foram detectadas diferenças significativas (p > 0,05) entre o desempenho motor de meninos e meninas dos 0 aos 18 meses de idade CONCLUSÃO: o desenvolvimento motor foi semelhante entre os sexos nos primeiros anos de vida. Entretanto destaca-se que com o passar dos anos as diferenças sócio culturais e de práticas parentais exercem influências sobre o processo de aquisição e desenvolvimento de habilidades motoras, uma vez que, as crianças tem sido sendo expostas a experiências de acordo com as expectativas para cada gênero...

Validity and reliability of the TGMD-2 for South Korean children.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2) for South Korean children. Three professionals assessed all children. Appropriate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha values from 0.73 to 0.87), concordance among evaluators (≥ .92), and test-retest reliability (locomotor = .91; object control = .85) were found. Appropriate fit indexes were found for the 1-factor nested model and the 2-factor model (goodness-of-fit index = 0.91, normed fit index = 0.87, comparative fit index = 0.94, Tucker-Lewis index = 0.93, incremental fit index = 0.95, root mean square error of approximation = 0.07). The 2-factor results from South Korean sample were similar to the results reported in the American sample. The TGMD-2 is an appropriate tool for assessing the motor skills of children in South Korea.

Associations of biological factors and affordances in the home with infant motor development.

BACKGROUND: Whereas considerable work has been published regarding biological factors associated with infant health, much less is known about the associations of environmental context with infant development - the focus of the present cross-sectional study. METHODS: Data were collected on 561 infants, aged newborn to 18 months. Measures included the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development-Infant Scale, Alberta Infant Motor Scale, and selected bio/medical factors. Correlation and regression were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Home environmental factors were associated with children's motor development as much as some typically high-risk biologic factors. CONCLUSION: The home environment partially explained infant development outcomes and infants at risk could possibly be helped with a home assessment for affordances.

Curvas de referência da Escala Motora Infantil de Alberta: percentis para descrição clínica e acompanhamento do desempenho motor ao longo do tempo / Reference curves for the Brazilian Alberta Infant Motor Scale: percentiles for clinical description and follow-up over time

OBJETIVOS: Comparar os dados de infantes brasileiros com a normativa canadense e estabelecer as curvas de referência e percentis do desenvolvimento motor da Escala Motora Infantil de Alberta segundo sexo. MÉTODOS: Participaram da pesquisa, 795 crianças com idade entre 0 e 18 meses provenientes de diferentes cidades de uma região do Brasil. Os participantes foram avaliados com a Escala Motora Infantil de Alberta, em uma sala silenciosa, por um experiente pesquisador. Foi realizada análise dos percentis (P5, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90) por faixa etária da escala e sexo. RESULTADOS: Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas (p > 0,05) entre meninos e meninas na maioria das diferentes faixas etárias. Apenas aos 14 meses, foi encontrada superioridade das meninas no escore total de desempenho motor (p = 0,015) e no percentil de desenvolvimento (0,021). Verificou-se, para ambos os sexos e para crianças típicas e atípicas, uma tendência de desenvolvimento motor alinear nas curvas desenvolvimentistas. Observou-se variação reduzida das aquisições motoras nos limites etários, nos dois primeiros meses de vida e a partir dos 15 meses. CONCLUSÕES: A Escala Motora Infantil de Alberta, embora seja um instrumento amplamente utilizado em clínica e pesquisa, possui restrições considerando a diferenciação comportamental até os 2 meses e depois dos 15 meses. Essa reduzida sensibilidade da escala nas extremidades etárias pode estar relacionada com o número e dificuldade dos itens motores avaliados nessas idades. Sugere-se a utilização de outros instrumentos de triagem para crianças acima dos 15 meses de idade.

OBJECTIVES: To compare Alberta Infant Motor Scale scores for Brazilian infants with the Canadian norm and to construct sex-specific reference curves and percentiles for motor development for a Brazilian population. METHODS: This study recruited 795 children aged 0 to 18 months from a number of different towns in Brazil. Infants were assessed by an experienced researcher in a silent room using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. Sex-specific percentiles (P5, P10, P25, P50, P75 and P90) were calculated and analyzed for each age in months from 0 to 18 months. RESULTS: No significant differences (p > 0.05) between boys and girls were observed for the majority of ages. The exception was 14 months, where the girls scored higher for overall motor performance (p = 0.015) and had a higher development percentile (0.021). It was observed that the development curves demonstrated a tendency to nonlinear development in both sexes and for both typical and atypical children. Variation in motor acquisition was minimal at the extremes of the age range: during the first two months of life and from 15 months onwards. CONCLUSIONS: Although the Alberta Infant Motor Scale is widely used in both research and clinical practice, it has certain limitations in terms of behavioral differentiation before 2 months and after 15 months. This reduced sensitivity at the extremes of the age range may be related to the number of motor items assessed at these ages and their difficulty. It is suggested that other screening instruments be employed for children over the age of 15 months.

Reference curves for the Brazilian Alberta Infant Motor Scale: percentiles for clinical description and follow-up over time.

OBJECTIVES: To compare Alberta Infant Motor Scale scores for Brazilian infants with the Canadian norm and to construct sex-specific reference curves and percentiles for motor development for a Brazilian population. METHODS: This study recruited 795 children aged 0 to 18 months from a number of different towns in Brazil. Infants were assessed by an experienced researcher in a silent room using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. Sex-specific percentiles (P5, P10, P25, P50, P75 and P90) were calculated and analyzed for each age in months from 0 to 18 months. RESULTS: No significant differences (p > 0.05) between boys and girls were observed for the majority of ages. The exception was 14 months, where the girls scored higher for overall motor performance (p = 0.015) and had a higher development percentile (0.021). It was observed that the development curves demonstrated a tendency to nonlinear development in both sexes and for both typical and atypical children. Variation in motor acquisition was minimal at the extremes of the age range: during the first two months of life and from 15 months onwards. CONCLUSIONS: Although the Alberta Infant Motor Scale is widely used in both research and clinical practice, it has certain limitations in terms of behavioral differentiation before 2 months and after 15 months. This reduced sensitivity at the extremes of the age range may be related to the number of motor items assessed at these ages and their difficulty. It is suggested that other screening instruments be employed for children over the age of 15 months.

Análise do desenvolvimento motor de crianças de zero a 18 meses de idade: representatividade dos ítens da alberta infant motor scale por faixa etária e postura / Analysis of motor development of infants from zero to 18 months of age: representativeness of the motors items of the alberta infant motor scale by age and posture / Análise do desenvolvimento motor de crianças de zero a 18 meses de idade: representatividade dos ítens da alberta infant motor scale por faixa etária e posturaAnalysis of motor development of infants from zero to 18 months of age: representativeness of the motors items of the alberta infant motor scale by age and posture

OBJETIVO: avaliar o desenvolvimento motor de bebês de 0 a 18 meses de idade e a representatividade dos critérios motores na avaliação infantil propostos na Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). MÉTODO: estudo transversal e observacional, no qual participaram 561 crianças avaliadas com a AIMS, com idade entre 0 e 18 meses, provenientes de Creches, Escolas de Educação Infantil, Unidades Básicas de Saúde e Entidades da Região Sul-Rio-Grandense. RESULTADOS: o desenvolvimento motor de 63,5 por cento foi considerado normal para idade e 36,5 por cento apresentaram atrasos ou suspeita de risco, sendo que os bebês com idade entre 3 e 12 meses foram os que demonstraram pior desempenho. Foi observado uma inferioridade nos comportamentos motores referentes as posturas prono e em pé e uma maior sensibilidade da AIMS na análise dos comportamentos motores no 1º ano de vida, sendo poucos os ítens para diferenciar crianças com desenvolvimento a partir de 12 meses. CONCLUSÕES: observou-se sequência progressiva do aparecimento de habilidades motoras nas posturas avaliadas, embora algumas crianças com desenvolvimento motor inferior ao esperado para idade. A escala apresenta um desequilíbrio, ou seja, uma descontinuidade na intensidade dos níveis de dificuldade, nas diferentes idades. Sugere-se que os fatores idade, controle postural e instrumento de avaliação influenciaram no desenvolvimento motor das crianças.(AU)

OBJECTIVE: evaluate the motor development of infants from 0 to 18 months and the representativeness of the motors items in the child assessment proposed by Alberta Infant Motor Scale. METHOD: transversal and observational study, causal comparative, where in participated 561 infants, evaluated with the AIMS, aging from 0 to 18 months, coming from Kinder gardens, Children Education schools, Health Basic Units of Rio Grande do Sul. RESULTS: The motor development of 63, 5 percent were considered with a normal for their age and 36,5 percent presented delays or delay´s risk, is that, the infants aging from 3 to 12 months were the ones with the worst development. It was found inferiority in the motor behaviors regarding the prono and standing postures and a bigger AIMS sensibility analysing motor behaviors in the first life year, considering that it is hard to notice children development from 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: observed progressive sequence of appearance of motor abilities in the evaluated postures, although some children were considered with an inferior motor development according to what was expected by their age. The scale has a inbalance, a discontinuity in intensity of difficulty´s levels, at diferents ages. It is suggested that the age-factor, postural control and evaluation instrument influenced in the motor development of the infants.(AU)