Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is pervasive neurodevelopment disorder characterized by a broad range of social abnormalities and deficit in motor skills, many times referred to as clumsiness. These abnormal social characteristics result in a restricted repertoire of activity and interests that also may affect the motor learning process. Therefore, fewer opportunities to practice motor skills can lead to a delay in achieving motor proficiency. It is well known that physical activity and motor proficiency are positively correlated and the amount of time spent in a physical activity is directly related to the level of expertise in neurotypical children. Hence, the specific aim of this study is to quantify the amount of physical activity in children with ASD and compare this value to that of non-diagnosed siblings (ASD siblings) and neurotypical controls (NT), as well as to compare the amount of physical activity between neurotypical controls and ASD siblings. In this study, it was hypothesized that: 1) children with ASD would have lower scores than their non-diagnosed sibling and also than the NT controls in the amount of physical activity; 2) non-diagnosed siblings and neurotypical children would not be different in the amount of physical activity; 3) children with ASD's general score on the motor skills assessments would be lower than the non-diagnosed siblings and lower than NT controls; 4) There would not be a difference in the general score on motor skills assessments between non-diagnosed siblings and neurotypical children and 5) the motor assessments scores would be positively correlated (p < 0.05) to the amount of physical activity. There were differences between ASD and NT groups regarding to the amount of physical activity and also regarding to the motor proficiency scores. Although those differences were not statistically significant, they definitely are clinically relevant as showed that the children on the autism spectrum presented a clear motor delay. Likewise, the correlation between amount of physical activity and motor proficiency was showed not to be significant. These results can be explained by the small sample size. Further studies with a larger sample size would be crucial to verify these hypotheses proposed in the present study. / text

Syftet med undersökningen var att studera pedagogers upplevelser av barns motorik i förskolemiljö. För att fördjupa samt tydligare beskriva syftet valdes några frågeställningar ut: Hur upplever pedagogerna motorikens betydelse i det sociala samspelet? Hur upplever pedagogerna motorikens betydelse i lärandet? Vad kan pedagogerna göra för att hjälpa barn med den motoriskautvecklingen? För att undersöka studiens syfte användes kvalitativa intervjuer, som genomfördes med fem stycken verksamma pedagoger i två förskolor. Resultatet visade att pedagogerna har olika erfarenheter och upplevelser av begreppet motorik, men att pedagogerna gemensamt lyfter vikten av motorikens betydelse för barns utveckling. Studiens slutsats är att pedagogerna samt tidigare forskning och litteratur lyfter motorikens betydelse för barns fortsatta utveckling. Den har en betydande roll i det sociala samspelet och lärandet, samt att pedagogerna har en viktig roll i barns motoriska utveckling genom att finnas med och stötta, uppmuntra och utmana. / The aim of this study was to examine how educators in preschool experience preeschool children’s motor skills. In order to deepen as well as more clearly describe the purpose of the study, a few main questions were chosen: How do the educators experience the significance of motor skills for social interaction? How do educators experience the significance of motor skills for learning? What can educators do to help with motor skill development? To examine the purpose of the study qualitative interviews were used, which were conducted with five pedagogues at two preschools. The result showed that educators have different experiences and perceptions of the concept of motor skills, but that the educators together highlight the importance of motor skills for child development. The conclusion of the study was that the educators as well as previous research and literature highlight the significance of motor skills for children’s future development. It has a significant role in social interaction and learning, and the educators have an important role in children’s motor skill development by being supporting, encouraging and challenging.

The major purpose of this study was to determine the effects of manifest anxiety, task complexity, and warm-up conditions on learning a two-phase serial type motor task. Another purpose was to consider the implications of these effects for physical educators, coaches, and others interested in improving educational practices and securing optimum performance levels.

Magister Artium (Sport, Recreation and Exercise Science) - MA(SRES) / Background: Hearing loss in children can contribute to a loss or delay in motor skills development and has been shown to negatively affect their participation in physical activity. Lack of physical activity may then further delay motor and balance skill development and therefore impact on their health-related quality of life. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a 12-week exercise intervention on motor control abilities in hard of hearing children in Grade R to Grade 3 in Cape Town, and on the parent’s perceptions of their child’s health-related quality of life.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar como o desempenho motor de crianças com Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH) pode ser afetado pela coocorrência do Transtorno do Desenvolvimento da Coordenação (TDC). Embora a relação entre ambos os transtornos tenha sido reconhecida há vários anos, alguns aspectos relativos a essa associação permanecem incertos. Alguns estudos têm atribuído as falhas na competência motora à distração e à impulsividade, enquanto outros têm referido as dificuldades motoras no TDAH, como uma consequência da comorbidade com o TDC. Método: Inicialmente, 283 crianças com idade entre seis e dez anos participaram deste estudo. Após uma etapa de rastreio dos sintomas de TDAH pelo questionário SNAP-IV, respondido pelos pais e professores, e pela avaliação por meio da Movement Battery Assessment for Children, segunda edição, 27 crianças foram então divididas em dois grupos, TDAH (14) e TDAH/TDC (13). A Escala de Desenvolvimento Motor foi utilizada para avaliar a motricidade global e fina, equilíbrio, esquema corporal, organização espacial e temporal. Resultados: Ambos os grupos demonstraram risco para atraso no desenvolvimento. Os testes revelaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos TDAH e TDAH/TDC nos quocientes motores de motricidade fina (p = 0,04) e equilíbrio (p = 0,02). Discussão: O presente estudo reforça que o TDAH pode apresentar dificuldades motoras, mesmo quando o TDC não está coocorrendo. Os resultados também sugerem dificuldades específicas de motricidade fina e equilíbrio para aqueles com TDAH e TDC. Esses achados podem aumentar a compreensão desta relação e esclarecer quais problemas são intrínsecos ao TDAH e como a coocorrência de TDC pode afetar o desempenho motor destas crianças / The aim of this study was to analyze how the motor performance of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be affected by the co-occurrence with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Although the relationship between both disorders has been recognized for several years, some aspects regarding its association remain unclear. Some studies have attributed the lack of motor competence to distractibility and impulsiveness, and others have associated the motor difficulties in ADHD as a consequence of the comorbidity with DCD. Method: Initially, 283 children aged six to ten years participated in this study. After being screened by SNAP-IV parent and teacher rating scale and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children second edition, 27 children were then divided in two groups, ADHD (14) and ADHD/DCD (13). Motor Development Scale was used to assess global and fine motricity, balance, body scheme, and spatial and temporal organization. Results: Both groups demonstrated a risk for delayed development. Between-group testing revealed statistically significant differences between the ADHD and ADHD/DCD groups for fine motricity (p=0.04) and balance (p=0.02) motor quotients. Discussion: The current study reinforces that ADHD may have motor difficulties, even when DCD is not co-occurring. The results also suggested particular difficulties in fine motricity and balance for those with ADHD and DCD. These findings may increase the understanding of this relationship and clarify what problems are intrinsic to ADHD and how the co-occurrence of DCD may affect the motor performance in these children

O objetivo do presente estudo foi propor um modelo de identificação de atletas escolares com idades entre 13 e 14 anos com altas habilidades motoras para a prática do handebol. Foram selecionadas para a amostra 153 meninas, dentre elas 100 que participam do Campeonato Estadual de Handebol e 53 meninas finalistas dos Jogos Escolares do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram aferidas as variáveis: peso, estatura, IMC, envergadura, flexibilidade, estatura sentada, comprimento de membros inferiores, comprimento mão dominante longitudinal, comprimento mão dominante transversal, comprimento mão longitudinal, comprimento mão transversal, força resistência abdominal, força explosiva de membros superiores, força explosiva de membros inferiores, agilidade, velocidade, resistência cardiorrespiratória, movimento defensivo, slalon, salto no quadrado e maturação somática. Para propor o modelo de identificação das atletas escolares, recorreu-se ao método da Análise da Função Discriminante e foi utilizado o pacote estatístico SPSS, versão 23. Os resultados apresentaram que as atletas federadas apresentaram médias iguais ou superiores em todas as variáveis. As variáveis que apresentaram diferença significativas através da ANOVA foram: flexibilidade, comprimento mão dominante longitudinal, comprimento mão longitudinal, força resistência abdominal, força explosiva de membros inferiores, agilidade, movimento defensivo e slalon. Os dados da comparação entre os dois grupos demonstraram que a função foi significativa (p≤0,05), teve uma boa correlação canônica (0,590) e ainda apresentou um Lambda de Wilk médio (0,652). As variáveis indicadoras de identificação de atletas escolares foram: flexibilidade, força resistência abdominal, força explosiva de membros inferiores, agilidade, movimento defensivo e slalon. Os valores médios de centroide dos grupos federadas e escolares foi, respectivamente (-0,434) e (0,819). Cumprindo o objetivo do trabalho, temos a equação final capaz de identificar atletas escolares com altas habilidades motoras para o handebol. Y = (FLE x -0,039) + (FRA x -0,049) + (FEMI x 0,002) + (AGI x 0,137) + (MD x 0,197) + (SLA x 0,175) – 2,966 com ponto de corte de 0,192. Conclui-se que foi obtido um instrumento capaz de selecionar atletas escolares com altas habilidades motoras para o handebol com perfil na participação em equipes que participam de campeonatos da federação. / The aim of the present study was to propose a model of identification of school athletes aged between 13 and 14 years old with high motor skills for handball practice. A total of 153 girls aged 13 to 14 years old were selected, among them 100 girls who participated in the State Handball Championship and 53 girls finalists of the School Games in Rio Grande do Sul. The following variables were assessed: weight, height, BMI, length of the upper limbs, longitudinal dominant hand length, longitudinal hand length, longitudinal hand length, transverse hand length, abdominal strength, upper limb explosive strength, lower extremity explosive force, agility, speed, cardiorespiratory resistance, defensive movement, slalon, jump in the square and somatic maturation. In order to propose the model of the identification of the school athletes, the Discriminant Function Analysis method was used and the statistical package SPSS, version 23 was used. The results showed that the federated athletes had equal or superior means in all the variables. The variables that presented significant differences through ANOVA were: flexibility, longitudinal hand length, longitudinal hand length, abdominal strength, explosive strength of lower limbs, agility, defensive movement and slalom. Data from the comparison between the two groups showed that the function was significant (p≤0.05), had a good canonical correlation (0.590) and still had an average Wilk Lambda (0.652). The variables indicative of identification of school athletes were: flexibility, strength abdominal resistance, explosive strength of lower limbs, agility, defensive movement and slalom. The mean centroid values of the federated and school groups were, respectively (-0.434) and (0.819). Fulfilling the objective of the work, we have the final equation capable of identifying school athletes with high motor skills for handball. Y = (FLE x -0.039) + (AS x -0.049) + (ESLL x 0.002) + (AGI x 0.137) + (DM x 0.197) + (SLA x 0.175) - 2.666 with cutoff point of 0.192. It was concluded that an instrument was obtained able to select school athletes with high motor skills for the handball with profile in the participation in teams that participate in federations championships.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar como o desempenho motor de crianças com Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDAH) pode ser afetado pela coocorrência do Transtorno do Desenvolvimento da Coordenação (TDC). Embora a relação entre ambos os transtornos tenha sido reconhecida há vários anos, alguns aspectos relativos a essa associação permanecem incertos. Alguns estudos têm atribuído as falhas na competência motora à distração e à impulsividade, enquanto outros têm referido as dificuldades motoras no TDAH, como uma consequência da comorbidade com o TDC. Método: Inicialmente, 283 crianças com idade entre seis e dez anos participaram deste estudo. Após uma etapa de rastreio dos sintomas de TDAH pelo questionário SNAP-IV, respondido pelos pais e professores, e pela avaliação por meio da Movement Battery Assessment for Children, segunda edição, 27 crianças foram então divididas em dois grupos, TDAH (14) e TDAH/TDC (13). A Escala de Desenvolvimento Motor foi utilizada para avaliar a motricidade global e fina, equilíbrio, esquema corporal, organização espacial e temporal. Resultados: Ambos os grupos demonstraram risco para atraso no desenvolvimento. Os testes revelaram diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos TDAH e TDAH/TDC nos quocientes motores de motricidade fina (p = 0,04) e equilíbrio (p = 0,02). Discussão: O presente estudo reforça que o TDAH pode apresentar dificuldades motoras, mesmo quando o TDC não está coocorrendo. Os resultados também sugerem dificuldades específicas de motricidade fina e equilíbrio para aqueles com TDAH e TDC. Esses achados podem aumentar a compreensão desta relação e esclarecer quais problemas são intrínsecos ao TDAH e como a coocorrência de TDC pode afetar o desempenho motor destas crianças / The aim of this study was to analyze how the motor performance of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be affected by the co-occurrence with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Although the relationship between both disorders has been recognized for several years, some aspects regarding its association remain unclear. Some studies have attributed the lack of motor competence to distractibility and impulsiveness, and others have associated the motor difficulties in ADHD as a consequence of the comorbidity with DCD. Method: Initially, 283 children aged six to ten years participated in this study. After being screened by SNAP-IV parent and teacher rating scale and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children second edition, 27 children were then divided in two groups, ADHD (14) and ADHD/DCD (13). Motor Development Scale was used to assess global and fine motricity, balance, body scheme, and spatial and temporal organization. Results: Both groups demonstrated a risk for delayed development. Between-group testing revealed statistically significant differences between the ADHD and ADHD/DCD groups for fine motricity (p=0.04) and balance (p=0.02) motor quotients. Discussion: The current study reinforces that ADHD may have motor difficulties, even when DCD is not co-occurring. The results also suggested particular difficulties in fine motricity and balance for those with ADHD and DCD. These findings may increase the understanding of this relationship and clarify what problems are intrinsic to ADHD and how the co-occurrence of DCD may affect the motor performance in these children

by Cecilia Tsang Wai Ping. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Problemstellung: Schuleingangsuntersuchungen belegen zunehmend Defizite in der motorischen und kognitiven Entwicklung von Einschülern. Im Hinblick auf Präventivmaßnahmen gilt dem motorischen und kognitiven Entwicklungsstand von Vorschulkindern ein verstärktes Forschungsinteresse. Die bisherige Wissensbasis soll mit aktuellen Untersuchungsergebnissen zum Zusammenhang von Motorik und Kognition bei Vorschulkindern erweitert werden. Methodik: Untersucht wurden 101 Kinder in vier Potsdamer Kitas im Alter von 3,5-4,6 Jahren. Zur Überprüfung der koordinativen und konditionellen Fähigkeiten wurden Standweitsprung, Sechs-Meter-Lauf, Balancieren, Einbeinstand und Seitliches Umsetzen sowie Handkoordination eingesetzt (KTK; Kiphard & Schilling 1972; Vogt 1978). Zusätzlich wurden in Anlehnung an das Brain-Gym-Konzept (Dennison 1984) körpermitteüberschreitende Armbewegungen qualitativ bewertet und auf Validität und Reliabilität geprüft. Die kognitiven Fähigkeiten wurden mit dem Bildbasierten Intelligenztest getestet (Schaarschmidt, Ricken, Kieschke & Preuß 2004). Ergebnisse: Jungen sind deutlich schneller und kräftiger als Mädchen, können aber geringfügig schlechter balancieren und feinkoordinieren. Ein Entwicklungssprung in den motorischen Leistungen ab dem vierten Lebensjahr konnte nachgewiesen werden. Weiterhin zeigte sich ein positiver signifikanter Zusammenhang zwischen der Gleichgewichtsfähigkeit und kognitiven Fähigkeiten bei den männlichen 3,5-Jährigen (r=.28-r=.32; p=0,01). Dies bestätigt: Je jünger die Kinder, desto stärker der Zusammenhang von Motorik und Intelligenz. Bei einseitiger Testung zeigten sich schwache signifikante Korrelationen von kognitiven Leistungen der Kinder und Qualifikation der Eltern (r=.18 - r=.21; p=0,01). Die Qualitative Bewertung der Arm- und Handbewegungen eignet sich wegen unbestätigter Validität und Reliabilität nicht als Untersuchungsmethode im Sinne einer frühfunktionellen Diagnostik. / Issue: Entrance exams used to determine readiness for school of first year pupils increasingly neglect the importance of motor skills and cognitive ability developments. For the implementation of proper preventative measures, more research is necessary to assess the motor skill and cognition developments of preschool students. The children’s basic knowledge must be tested in connection with the results of recent studies dealing with the motor skills and cognition of preschool students. Procedure: 101 children between the ages of 3,5-4,6 were studied in four kindergartens in Potsdam. Their coordination and endurance abilities were examined with regards to their abilities in long jumps from standing positions, six-meter runs, balancing themselves, standing on one leg, lateral movement, and their hand co-ordinations (KTK; Kiphard & Schilling 1972; Vogt 1978). Additionally, the Brain-Gym-Concept (Dennison 1984) was evaluated vis-à-vis the children’s reliability and validity to move their arms around their middle body. The cognitive abilities were tested with a visual intelligence test (Schaarschmidt, Ricken, Kieschke & Preuß 2004). Results: Boys are clearly faster and stronger than girls. The latter however have much greater abilities in their balance and fine motor skills. It was evident that children experienced major improvements in motor skills in their fourth year. Furthermore, three and a half year old boys had a significant connection between their sense of equilibrium and cognitive abilities (r=.28-r=.32; p=0,01). This proves that the connection between motor skills and intelligence are greater the younger the children are. One sided tests showed weak correlations between the cognitive abilities of the children to those of their parents (r=.18 - r=.21; p=0,01). The qualitative assessment of arm and hand movements doesn’t deem itself eligible as a study method as its reliability and validity concerning early diagnosis hasn’t been confirmed.

The objective of this graduate work is to gain a better understanding in how pre-school educators are able to work with music in their pre-school activity to promote child development. We also want to enlighten possible factors for the development of children based on music and to form our own ideas of whether teachers choose to apply music in their didactic practice or not. The point of this essay has been to attempt answering on what importance music makes for children's development and learning in pre-school, and how teachers could work with music in pre-school in order to promote children’s development. Our data consists of six interviews and two observations realized at a pre-school in Södertälje. We took heed from the theories laid out by Lev Vygotsky's which describe four different levels of development that includes educational development in social interaction between teacher and child. Our choice of this theory is inspired by our seeking deeper understanding of Vygotsky's theory´s application to the aesthetic approach in the interaction in meaning making and learning. The result of our study confirms previous theory and research in that music as a form of expression has a major impact on children's development. Music creates a powerful learning approach that can be used when a child learns to apply their skills in language and vocabulary, motor development, and social interaction. The results of our qualitative interviews and observations show that pre-school educators´ experiences are consistent with previous research findings regarding the importance of music in children's development during their pre-school years. This may indicate that musical expression can give children yet another tool of expressing themselves while developing their skills and competencies.