Objetivo: Determinar a responsividade do domínio subir e descer escada da escala de avaliação funcional em distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD), no período de um ano. Método: Participaram do estudo 26 pacientes com DMD. A análise utilizou o Tamanho do Efeito (ES) e a Média Padronizada de Resposta (SRM). Resultados: Atividade de subir escada: o ES mostrou responsividade baixa nos intervalos de avaliação de 3 meses (0,26; 0,35; 0,13; 0,17), baixa a moderada em 6 meses (0,58, 0,48; 0,33), moderada em 9 meses (0,70; 0,68) e alta em 1 ano (0,88). A análise com SRM mostrou responsividade baixa nos intervalos de avaliação de 3 meses (0,29; 0,38; 0,18 e 0,19), baixa a moderada em intervalos de 6 meses (0,59 e 0,51, 0,36), moderada em 9 meses (0,74 e 0,70) e alta em 1 ano (0,89). Atividade de descer escada: O ES apresentou responsividade baixa nos intervalos de avaliação de 3 meses (0,16; 0,25; 0,09; 0,08) e 6 meses (0,48; 0,35; 0,18), baixa a moderada em 9 meses (0,59, 0,44) e moderada em 1 ano (0,71). Análise com SRM mostrou responsividade baixa nos intervalos de 3 meses (0,25; 0,35; 0,12 e 0,09) e 6 meses (0,47; 0,38 e 0,21), moderada a baixa em 9 meses (0,62, 0,49) e moderada em 1 ano (0,74). Conclusão: A avaliação da atividade de subir escada, por meio da FES-DMD-D3, deve ser realizada em intervalos a partir de 9 meses, pois a responsividade é de moderada a alta. A avaliação do descer escadas deve ser realizada anualmente, pois houve responsividade moderada somente a partir de 12 meses / Objective: To determine the responsiveness of the domain up and down stair Functional Evaluation Scale for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in one year follow-up. Method: The study included 26 patients with DMD. The analysis used the Effect Size (ES) and Standardized Response Mean (SRM) tests. Results: Climbing stairs activity: the ES test showed low responsiveness in the 3-month evaluation intervals (0.26; 0.35; 0.13; 0.17), low to moderate at 6 months (0.58, 0 48; 0.33), moderate in 9 months (0.70, 0.68) and high in one year (0.88). The SRM analysis showed low response in the 3 month evaluation interval (0.29, 0.38, 0.18 and 0.19), moderate to low every 6 months (0.59 and 51, 0, 36), moderate in 9 months (0.74 and 0.70) and high in one year (0.89). Down stairs activity: The ES test showed low responsiveness in the 3 month evaluation intervals (0.16; 0.25; 0.09; 0.08) and 6 months (0.48, 0.35, 0, 18), low to moderate at 9 months (0.59, 0.44) and moderate in 1 year (0.71). SRM Analysis showed low response at intervals of 3 months (0.25; 0.35; 0.12 and 0.09) and 6 months (0.47, 0.38 and 0.21), low to moderate 9 months (0.62, 0.49) and moderate in 1 year (0.74). Conclusion: The assessment of stair climbing up should be performed in 9 months or longer intervals, when responsiveness is moderate to high. Going down stairs assessment should be performed annually, because moderate responsiveness was observed in 1 year interval

Introdução: A distrofia muscular de Duchenne (DMD) é uma doença genética recessiva. Caracterizada pelo enfraquecimento progressivo e irreversível da musculatura, levando a um quadro grave de deficiência física. Devido às alterações motoras presentes na DMD, é relevante verificar dispositivos de interação que auxiliem na funcionalidade e participação social, principalmente utilizando tecnologia e atualidades de ambientes virtuais. Objetivo: Identificar qual dispositivo de interação virtual propicia melhor desempenho em uma tarefa virtual em indivíduos com DMD. Método: Foram incluídos no estudo, 120 indivíduos, 60 com DMD entre 9 e 34 anos (média 16 anos) e 60 indivíduos com desenvolvimento típico pareados por sexo e idade (grupo controle). Foi utilizada uma tarefa virtual, que consiste em alcançar o maior número de bolhas, durante as fases de aprendizagem motora (aquisição, retenção e transferência) utilizando diferentes interfaces (Kinect, Leap Motion ou Touch Screen). Para análise estatística utilizou-se o número de bolhas alcançadas para cada participante. Resultados: Todos os participantes tiveram melhora no seu desempenho com a prática, independente da interface usada. Porém o grupo DMD, obteve resultado inferior quando comparado ao grupo controle. Houve melhora significativa no desempenho, em uma das fases, com a utilização da interface Leap Motion para grupo DMD, e Touch Screen para o grupo controle. Conclusão: O desempenho dos indivíduos com DMD é inferior quando comparado ao grupo controle, em todas as interfaces, devido a fraqueza muscular advinda da progressão da doença. Porém, há a possibilidade de melhorar o desempenho em uma tarefa, com a utilização que utilize dispositivo virtual, como o Leap Motion, exigindo funcionalidade de grupos musculares distais, nos indivíduos com distrofia muscular / Introduction: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a recessive genetic disease. Characterized by progressive and irreversible weakening of the musculature, leading to a serious physical disability. Due to the motor alterations present in the DMD, it is important to verify interaction devices that aid in functionality and social participation, mainly using technology and the news of virtual environments. Objective: To identify which virtual interaction device is best to provide performance in a virtual task in individuals with DMD. Methods: The study included 120 individuals, 60 DMD ranging from 9 to 34 years (mean 16 years) and 60 typically developed individuals matched by age and gender (control). A virtual task was used to achieve the greatest number of bubbles during the motor learning (acquisition, retention and transfer) phases, using different interfaces (Kinect, Leap Motion or Touch Screen). For statistical analysis, the number of bubbles reached for each participant was used. Results: All participants improved their performance with practice, regardless of the interface used. However, the DMD group had lower results when compared to the control group. There was a significant performance improvement in one of the phases, using the Leap Motion interface for DMD group, and Touch Screen for the control group. Conclusion: The performance of individuals with DMD is lower when compared to the control group, at all interfaces due to muscle weakness due to disease progression. However, there is the possibility of improving performance in a task using virtual device, such as Leap Motion, requiring functionality of distal muscle groups in individuals with muscular dystrophy

INTRODUÇÃO: 0 transtorno de déficit de atenção com hiperatividade é um distúrbio neurobiológico comum na infância que pode acarretar prejuízos no desempenho motor em 30 a 50% dos casos, além de déficits no aprendizado escolar e no desenvolvimento social e emocional, tornando a criança mais propensa ao abandono dos estudos, a repetência, suspensão, expulsão e mais vulnerável a necessidade de reforço. OBJETIVO: O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o desempenho motor e acadêmico de crianças com transtorno de déficit de atenção com hiperatividade matriculadas na rede municipal de ensino de Maringá. METODOLOGIA: Foram selecionadas 55 crianças de ambos os gêneros, matriculadas no 2º ao 4º ano do ensino fundamental, entre 7 a 10 anos, com diagnóstico clínico confirmado do respectivo transtorno, sem comorbidades associadas exceto o Transtorno Opositor Desafiante e dificuldades de aprendizagem, além de 55 crianças do grupo controle para efeitos de comparação, seguindo os mesmos parâmetros com relação ao ano escolar cursado, idade e sexo. Na sequência foram realizadas as avaliações do desempenho motor e acadêmico, utilizando a segunda edição do Movement Assessment Battery for Children e o Teste do Desempenho Escolar. Para a análise estatística foi utilizado o programa estatístico Statistical Package for Social Science versão 20 e empregado os testes Shapiro-Wilk, Qui quadrado, Mann-Whitney, Teste Exato de Fisher, Correlação de Spearman e correlação de Pearson. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demonstraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre o grupo experimental e controle na classificação do grau de dificuldade motora, na leitura, escrita e no escore bruto total do teste do desempenho escolar. CONCLUSÃO:Tendo em vista, o maior prejuízo acadêmico detectado no grupo experimental e a maior frequência de crianças do respectivo grupo classificadas como de risco e com significante dificuldade motora, salienta-se a necessidade delas serem monitoradas por profissionais especializados, a fim de minimizarem os déficts apresentados / INTRODUCTION: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurobiological condition common in childhood, which may result in poor motor performance to 30 to 50% of the children diagnosed with it as well as in poor school performance and poor social and emotional development, causing children to be more likely to fail at or drop out of school, be suspended or expelled from school, and be more likely to need extra lessons to catch up with the class. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the motor skills and school performance of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who attended a municipal school in Maringá, Brazil. The group selected were 55 children of both sexes at 7 to 10 years old attending the first to third grades of elementary school diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder without any associated disorder except oppositional defiant disorder and learning difficulties. Fifty-five children were also selected for the control group for comparison effects, following the same parameters regarding the school grade, age and sex. Motor skills and school performance assessments based on the second edition of Movement Assessment Battery for Children and the school performance test were carried out. For the statistical analysis, the Statistical Package for Social Science version 20, Shapiro-Wilk, Chi square, Mann-Whitney, Fisher´s Exact Tests and the Pearson and Spearman correlation were used. RESULTS:The results showed statistically significant differences between the experimental and the control group in the classification of degree of motor difficuly in reading, writing and the total gross score of the School Performance Test. CONCLUSION:Considering the greater difficulty at school perceived in the experimental group and the greater frequency of children of such group classified as borderline ones and with significant motor difficulty, it is clear that they should be monitored by specialized professionals for their evident deficits to be minimized

INTRODUÇÃO: 0 transtorno de déficit de atenção com hiperatividade é um distúrbio neurobiológico comum na infância que pode acarretar prejuízos no desempenho motor em 30 a 50% dos casos, além de déficits no aprendizado escolar e no desenvolvimento social e emocional, tornando a criança mais propensa ao abandono dos estudos, a repetência, suspensão, expulsão e mais vulnerável a necessidade de reforço. OBJETIVO: O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o desempenho motor e acadêmico de crianças com transtorno de déficit de atenção com hiperatividade matriculadas na rede municipal de ensino de Maringá. METODOLOGIA: Foram selecionadas 55 crianças de ambos os gêneros, matriculadas no 2º ao 4º ano do ensino fundamental, entre 7 a 10 anos, com diagnóstico clínico confirmado do respectivo transtorno, sem comorbidades associadas exceto o Transtorno Opositor Desafiante e dificuldades de aprendizagem, além de 55 crianças do grupo controle para efeitos de comparação, seguindo os mesmos parâmetros com relação ao ano escolar cursado, idade e sexo. Na sequência foram realizadas as avaliações do desempenho motor e acadêmico, utilizando a segunda edição do Movement Assessment Battery for Children e o Teste do Desempenho Escolar. Para a análise estatística foi utilizado o programa estatístico Statistical Package for Social Science versão 20 e empregado os testes Shapiro-Wilk, Qui quadrado, Mann-Whitney, Teste Exato de Fisher, Correlação de Spearman e correlação de Pearson. RESULTADOS: Os resultados demonstraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre o grupo experimental e controle na classificação do grau de dificuldade motora, na leitura, escrita e no escore bruto total do teste do desempenho escolar. CONCLUSÃO:Tendo em vista, o maior prejuízo acadêmico detectado no grupo experimental e a maior frequência de crianças do respectivo grupo classificadas como de risco e com significante dificuldade motora, salienta-se a necessidade delas serem monitoradas por profissionais especializados, a fim de minimizarem os déficts apresentados / INTRODUCTION: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurobiological condition common in childhood, which may result in poor motor performance to 30 to 50% of the children diagnosed with it as well as in poor school performance and poor social and emotional development, causing children to be more likely to fail at or drop out of school, be suspended or expelled from school, and be more likely to need extra lessons to catch up with the class. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the motor skills and school performance of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who attended a municipal school in Maringá, Brazil. The group selected were 55 children of both sexes at 7 to 10 years old attending the first to third grades of elementary school diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder without any associated disorder except oppositional defiant disorder and learning difficulties. Fifty-five children were also selected for the control group for comparison effects, following the same parameters regarding the school grade, age and sex. Motor skills and school performance assessments based on the second edition of Movement Assessment Battery for Children and the school performance test were carried out. For the statistical analysis, the Statistical Package for Social Science version 20, Shapiro-Wilk, Chi square, Mann-Whitney, Fisher´s Exact Tests and the Pearson and Spearman correlation were used. RESULTS:The results showed statistically significant differences between the experimental and the control group in the classification of degree of motor difficuly in reading, writing and the total gross score of the School Performance Test. CONCLUSION:Considering the greater difficulty at school perceived in the experimental group and the greater frequency of children of such group classified as borderline ones and with significant motor difficulty, it is clear that they should be monitored by specialized professionals for their evident deficits to be minimized

OBJETIVO: 1- Avaliar e comparar o tempo de frenagem medido no simulador de direção virtual entre motoristas com e sem paraplegia; 2- Identificar e descrever as variáveis preditoras do tempo de frenagem no simulador de direção para os motoristas com paraplegia. METODOLOGIA: Motoristas do sexo masculino com paraplegia (n = 20 com idade média de 38,1 ± 3,6 anos) e motoristas sem paraplegia (n = 20 com idade média de 38,0 ± 5,8) com carteira de habilitação válida tiveram o tempo de frenagem medido no simulador de direção virtual. Os motoristas sem paraplegia foram avaliados com controles convencionais de pedais de freio e aceleração e os motoristas com paraplegia usaram controles manuais. O teste t de Student comparou os resultados do entre os grupos. A correlação do tempo de frenagem foi realizada com as variáveis selecionadas para o estudo nos motoristas com paraplegia. RESULTADOS: As diferenças do tempo de frenagem do simulador entre os grupos não foram estatisticamente significativas (motoristas sem paraplegia = 0,90 segundos; motoristas com paraplegia 0,92 segundos, p > 0,05). A experiência de dirigir correlaciona-se significativamente com o tempo de frenagem dos motoristas com paraplegia (r = -58, p = 0,009). Análises de regressão linear indicaram que anos de escolaridade, experiência de direção e o teste neuropsicológico MOCA (variáveis explicativas) explicaram 60,2% da resposta do tempo de frenagem do simulador de direção para os motoristas com paraplegia. CONCLUSÃO: A experiência de condução, anos de escolaridade e o teste neuropsicológico MOCA foram identificadas como preditoras do tempo de frenagem do simulador de direção para motoristas com paraplegia / Objective: (1) To identify differences in driving simulator braking time response between paraplegic and able-bodied drivers (2) To determine the contributions of age, driving experience, length of disability, handgrip strength and, neuropsychological tests, as selected factors, to driving simulator braking time response of drivers with paraplegia. Design: Two groups of male able-bodied and paraplegic drivers had their braking time response evaluated in an automatic transmission car simulator. Able-bodied drivers were tested with conventional controls and paraplegic drivers used hand controls. Drivers with paraplegia performed simple, choice and go-no-go reaction time tests as neuropsychological evaluation. Student\'s t test compared results of driving simulator braking time response between groups. Persons\' correlation verified the association between driving simulator braking time responses and selected variables of the drivers with paraplegia. Subjects: Able-bodied drivers (n=20 mean age 38.0±5.8) and paraplegic drivers (n=20 mean age 38.1±3.6) with valid driver license accepted to be part of this study. Results: Differences of simulator braking time response between groups were not statistically significant (able-bodied=0.90 seconds; paraplegic drivers 0.92 seconds, p>0.05). Driving experience significantly correlates with braking time response of the drivers with paraplegia (r= -58, p=0.009). Linear regression analyses indicated that years of education and driving experience (explanatory variables) explained 60.2% of driving simulator braking time response for the drivers with paraplegia. Conclusion: Driving experience, years of education and MOCA neuropsychological test were predictors variables of driving simulator braking time for paraplegic drivers

Name of the thesis: Testing of motor performance of high school students in Kadaň and their relationship to physical activities Objectives of the thesis: The objective of the thesis is to analyze the level of basic motor performance of high school students in Kadaň and find out their relationship to physical activities Method: This thesis is processed in the form of empirical quantitative research. The research is realized in the type of environment where is possible to eliminate influences of external environment, that is in a gym. The research subject were students of two chosen high schools, both male and female. Of the total number of 232 students, 143 were female and 89 male aged 15-17. To find out the level of motor performance of the students the test battery UNIFITTEST (6-60) was used. To gather information about the relationship of students to physical activities and competitiveness, a short poll of eight items was made. These were focused on the gathering of basic anamnestic data like name and surname, date of birth, the name of the school they attend to and grade in physical education. Furthermore, it was important to find out if and how often the student takes part in physical activity in his or her free time. Specifically, these questions were divided into involvement of a student in a...

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2009. / Härtill 3 uppsatser. Även tryckt utgåva.

Vzrůstající nedostatek pohybu dětí a mladistvých v průmyslových státech se v minulých desetiletích rozvinul ve zdravotně-politický problém. V souladu s touto problematikou zároveň klesá i úroveň motorických schopností a dovedností, což představuje citelné omezení dětského vývoje, fyzické i psychické komponenty. Důsledkem jsou rostoucí náklady na zdravotní péči, které posléze výrazně zatěžují zdravotnictví v jednotlivých zemích. Cílem vědeckých týmů Západočeské Univerzity v Plzni a Technické Univerzity Chemnitz je v rámci pilotní studie pod názvem „Přeshraniční srovnávací analýza motorických schopností dětí mladšího školního věku“ stanovit a porovnat aktuální zdravotní situaci školáků v České republice a Německu. / Der gestiegene Bewegungsmangel der Kinder und Jugendlichen in den Industriestaaten hat sich in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten zu einem gesundheitspolitischen Problem entwickelt. Das darüber hinaus sinkende Niveau motorischer Fähigkeiten und Fertigkeiten zieht Beeinträchtigungen der kindlichen Entwicklung auf physischer und psychischer Ebene mit entsprechenden Folgekosten für die Gesundheitssysteme der Länder nach sich. Die Wissenschaftler der Westböhmischen Universität Pilsen und der Technischen Universität Chemnitz haben sich aus diesem Grund zum Ziel gesetzt, in der Pilotstudie „Grenzüberschreitende Vergleichsanalyse der motorischen Fähigkeiten von Kindern des jüngeren Schulalters“ die gesundheitliche Situation von Schulanfängern in der Tschechischen Republik und in Deutschland zu untersuchen und gegenüber zu stellen. / The increased sedentary lifestyle of children and adolescents in industrialized countries has evolved into a public health problem over the past decades. In addition, the declining level of motor abilities and skills draws impairment of children development on physical and psychological level, with appropriate follow-up costs for the health systems of countries. Scientists at the University of West Bohemia Pilsen and the Chemnitz University of Technology have for this reason the goal to investigate and to contrast the health situation of children starting school in the Czech Republic and in Germany with the pilot study "Cross-border comparative analysis of the motor skills of children of younger school age".

Several researchers have reported that the perceptual-motor skills of today’s children are not optimally developed. Furthermore, childhood obesity has increased worldwide and is a cause for concern due to the effect that it has on the present and future public health of children. Childhood obesity has a bearing on a rise in chronic paediatric diseases and an increase in hypertension, as well as on motor and physical deficits. In spite of the inadequate perceptual-motor development that is reported, few studies have been reported that examine the effect of school-based movement development programmes to improve the motor proficiency of school beginners. Firstly, in this thesis, an attempt was made to establish a general profile of the motor proficiency of Grade 1 learners in the North West Province of South Africa, and to determine possible gender and racial differences. Secondly, the relationship between the body composition and blood pressure of Grade 1 learners was examined. Thirdly, the relationship between the body composition and motor, physical and object control skills of these learners was examined. The fourth objective was to determine the effect of school-based movement development programmes on the perceptual-motor proficiency of Grade 1 learners. For objectives one to three, data were collected by means of a stratified randomised sample of 816 Grade 1 learners (419 boys, 397 girls) with a mean age of 6,78 years (+ 0,49) who participated in the NW-CHILD study. The short form of the “Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2” (Bruininks & Bruininks, 2005), which consists of eight subcomponents, was used to determine the learners’ motor proficiency and the “Test of Gross Motor Development-2” was used to determine the learners’ object control skills. Stature, body mass, skinfolds (subscapular, triceps and calf) and waist circumference were measured according to standard kinantropometric protocols. International cut-off points for body mass index (BMI) were used to classify learners in normal, overweight or obese categories. Blood pressure was measured by means of an Omron 705CP-II. With regard to objective 1, it appeared from the results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics and ttesting, and by making use of the Statistica computer program, that Grade 1 learners exhibit below average (49,63%) to average (48,16%) motor proficiency. The poorest skills exhibited by the learners were in strength, fine motor integration and fine motor precision. The motor proficiency of the boys was mostly average (63,96%) as opposed to that of the girls, which was largely classified as below average (64,74%), although the girls’ manual dexterity and bilateral co-ordination was significantly better compared to the boys. The motor proficiency of most of the white children was average (69,27%), compared to 58,73% of the black children, whose motor proficiency was below average. White children performed significantly better in fine motor precision, fine motor integration, manual dexterity, bilateral co-ordination, upper limb co-ordination and strength skills, and black children in balancing and running speed and agility skills. Concerning objective 2, it appeared from the results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, the Spearman correlation coefficients and one-way analysis of variance, that the overall incidence of prehypertension and hypertension was 8,5% and 24,9% respectively. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure exhibited a significant relationship with BMI, body fat percentage and waist circumference. Boys and girls exhibited the same incidence of hypertension. A higher percentage of the black children were hypertensive compared to the white children, although the difference in the blood pressure of the groups was not significant. A high percentage of children of normal weight also exhibited high levels of blood pressure. As far as objective 3 is concerned, it appeared from the results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficients and one-way analysis of variance, that 1 out of every 10 learners (11,64%) was overweight (7,84%) or obese (3,80%). Fine motor precision, balance, running speed, agility and strength exhibited a significant relationship with body mass index (p<0.05), while no clear relationship was found between object control skills, upper limb co-ordination and body mass index. For objective 4, two schools were selected from the total sample in one urban area, which consisted of 75 learners (school 1=40 and school 2=35) who had a mean age of 6,66 years (+ 0,24) and who participated in two different perceptual-motor movement development programmes. The perceptual-motor movement development programme of School 1 was based on a process-oriented approach, as opposed to the programme of School 2, which was based on a product-oriented approach. Motor proficiency was measured by making use of the short form of the “Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2”. The results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, independent t-testing and a covariance of analysis, showed that both movement development programmes contributed to significant improvements in some of the motor proficiency subcomponents. However, the process-oriented movement programme contributed to a greater extent to improvement on an individual level, which was attributed to the improved underlying neurological processes of motor proficiency and bilateral integration that underwent improvement as a result, while the level of motor proficiency mastery of the product-oriented movement development programme remained unchanged. On the grounds of the above results it is advised that educators, such as the Physical Education teachers who work with Grade 1 learners, take note of the possible deficits with regard to motor proficiency, overweight and obesity, and implement suitable intervention programmes, taking into consideration the gender and racial specific differences that were found in this study. The measuring of blood pressure for basic screening purposes is important in the child population and interventions that include physical activity are advised to reduce the potential cardiovascular complications of obesity amongst children. It could also be recommended that school-based movement development programmes, which are presented by specialists, be implemented in order to improve the motor proficiency of Grade 1 learners and to also contribute to the improvement of the skills of learners with perceptual-motor and physical proficiency problems. / Thesis (PhD (Human Movement Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Several researchers have reported that the perceptual-motor skills of today’s children are not optimally developed. Furthermore, childhood obesity has increased worldwide and is a cause for concern due to the effect that it has on the present and future public health of children. Childhood obesity has a bearing on a rise in chronic paediatric diseases and an increase in hypertension, as well as on motor and physical deficits. In spite of the inadequate perceptual-motor development that is reported, few studies have been reported that examine the effect of school-based movement development programmes to improve the motor proficiency of school beginners. Firstly, in this thesis, an attempt was made to establish a general profile of the motor proficiency of Grade 1 learners in the North West Province of South Africa, and to determine possible gender and racial differences. Secondly, the relationship between the body composition and blood pressure of Grade 1 learners was examined. Thirdly, the relationship between the body composition and motor, physical and object control skills of these learners was examined. The fourth objective was to determine the effect of school-based movement development programmes on the perceptual-motor proficiency of Grade 1 learners. For objectives one to three, data were collected by means of a stratified randomised sample of 816 Grade 1 learners (419 boys, 397 girls) with a mean age of 6,78 years (+ 0,49) who participated in the NW-CHILD study. The short form of the “Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2” (Bruininks & Bruininks, 2005), which consists of eight subcomponents, was used to determine the learners’ motor proficiency and the “Test of Gross Motor Development-2” was used to determine the learners’ object control skills. Stature, body mass, skinfolds (subscapular, triceps and calf) and waist circumference were measured according to standard kinantropometric protocols. International cut-off points for body mass index (BMI) were used to classify learners in normal, overweight or obese categories. Blood pressure was measured by means of an Omron 705CP-II. With regard to objective 1, it appeared from the results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics and ttesting, and by making use of the Statistica computer program, that Grade 1 learners exhibit below average (49,63%) to average (48,16%) motor proficiency. The poorest skills exhibited by the learners were in strength, fine motor integration and fine motor precision. The motor proficiency of the boys was mostly average (63,96%) as opposed to that of the girls, which was largely classified as below average (64,74%), although the girls’ manual dexterity and bilateral co-ordination was significantly better compared to the boys. The motor proficiency of most of the white children was average (69,27%), compared to 58,73% of the black children, whose motor proficiency was below average. White children performed significantly better in fine motor precision, fine motor integration, manual dexterity, bilateral co-ordination, upper limb co-ordination and strength skills, and black children in balancing and running speed and agility skills. Concerning objective 2, it appeared from the results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, the Spearman correlation coefficients and one-way analysis of variance, that the overall incidence of prehypertension and hypertension was 8,5% and 24,9% respectively. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure exhibited a significant relationship with BMI, body fat percentage and waist circumference. Boys and girls exhibited the same incidence of hypertension. A higher percentage of the black children were hypertensive compared to the white children, although the difference in the blood pressure of the groups was not significant. A high percentage of children of normal weight also exhibited high levels of blood pressure. As far as objective 3 is concerned, it appeared from the results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficients and one-way analysis of variance, that 1 out of every 10 learners (11,64%) was overweight (7,84%) or obese (3,80%). Fine motor precision, balance, running speed, agility and strength exhibited a significant relationship with body mass index (p<0.05), while no clear relationship was found between object control skills, upper limb co-ordination and body mass index. For objective 4, two schools were selected from the total sample in one urban area, which consisted of 75 learners (school 1=40 and school 2=35) who had a mean age of 6,66 years (+ 0,24) and who participated in two different perceptual-motor movement development programmes. The perceptual-motor movement development programme of School 1 was based on a process-oriented approach, as opposed to the programme of School 2, which was based on a product-oriented approach. Motor proficiency was measured by making use of the short form of the “Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2”. The results, which were analysed with descriptive statistics, independent t-testing and a covariance of analysis, showed that both movement development programmes contributed to significant improvements in some of the motor proficiency subcomponents. However, the process-oriented movement programme contributed to a greater extent to improvement on an individual level, which was attributed to the improved underlying neurological processes of motor proficiency and bilateral integration that underwent improvement as a result, while the level of motor proficiency mastery of the product-oriented movement development programme remained unchanged. On the grounds of the above results it is advised that educators, such as the Physical Education teachers who work with Grade 1 learners, take note of the possible deficits with regard to motor proficiency, overweight and obesity, and implement suitable intervention programmes, taking into consideration the gender and racial specific differences that were found in this study. The measuring of blood pressure for basic screening purposes is important in the child population and interventions that include physical activity are advised to reduce the potential cardiovascular complications of obesity amongst children. It could also be recommended that school-based movement development programmes, which are presented by specialists, be implemented in order to improve the motor proficiency of Grade 1 learners and to also contribute to the improvement of the skills of learners with perceptual-motor and physical proficiency problems. / Thesis (PhD (Human Movement Sciences))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013