An investigation was conducted into possible differences in
motor abilities between 98 mentally retarded and 100 mentally
normal girls aged between 13 - 17 years. For the purpose
of this study certain motor aspects as contained in previously
selected tests were chosen. The motor aspects in question
were those which appear in the Physical Education Syllabus
for girls in the section handling of objects. The success
with which the girls performed the prescribed movement tasks
was measured quantitatively (to indicate attainment of the
desired result) as well as qualitatively (to indicate the
movement pattern) .
A movement-directed analysis was conducted by studying the
possible effect which the kind of skill, as well as the relative perceptual-motor abilities, could have on the achievement
of the pupils. A preceding literature study was done in order
to obtain relevant information pertaining to the study.
The quantitative data were studied by means of a variance analysis
investigation with a view to the significance of
the differences (p ~ 0,05), while the qualitative data, being
nominal, were analysed by means of chi-square techniques.
The predominant findings indicate that, in spite of heterogeneity within the group, deficient motor ability is indeed
prevalent among the mentally retarded pupils. This does
not, however, hold good for all aspects of the movement abilities and is not always meaningful. The biggest differences
are found in the movement pattern.
Task complexity, the degree of cognitive involvement as well
as perceptual-motor abilities included in the skills do play
a role as regards the successful performance by the mentally
retarded group.
Carefully planned motor programmes conducted with retarded
pupils could therefore be a means of abolishing under-actualization of their personality realisation - especially as they
are directed towards motor rather than cognitive orientated
occupations. / Thesis (MA)--PU vir CHO, 1987
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/9561 |
| Date | January 1987 |
| Creators | Krohn, Johrene Annabel |
| Publisher | Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Language | other |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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