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Neuromotor development from 5 to 18 years. Part 1: timed performance
R H Largo1, J A Caflisch, F Hug
1Growth and Development Centre, Department of Paediatrics, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland. largo@kispi.unizh.ch
Insights
This study presents centile curves for timed motor skills in children aged 5-18. Results show significant developmental changes and individual variations in motor performance during childhood and adolescence.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Motor Control
Background:
- Timed motor performance is crucial for assessing neurological development in children.
- Understanding normal developmental trajectories and variations in timed motor skills is essential for identifying potential motor dysfunctions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish centile curves for timed motor performances in non-disabled children aged 5 to 18 years.
- To describe the normal developmental course and interindividual variation in timed motor tasks.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 662 non-disabled children aged 5-18 years.
- Assessment of various timed motor tasks including finger movements, hand/foot movements, sequential movements, pegboard tasks, and balance.
- Reliability of timed measurements was assessed (intraobserver, interobserver, test-retest).
Main Results:
- Timed motor performances showed continuous improvement throughout the prepubertal period, with variations in the rate of improvement and achievement of the 'adolescent plateau' across tasks.
- Centile curves revealed substantial interindividual variation in timed performances for all assessed motor tasks.
- No clinically significant sex differences or correlations with socioeconomic status were observed.
Conclusions:
- Timed motor performances in children aged 5-18 years exhibit prolonged developmental changes and considerable interindividual variability.
- Standardized testing instruments and age-specific normative data are critical for accurate assessment of motor competence in school-aged children.
Abstract:
Timed performance in specific motor tasks is an essential component of a neurological examination applied to children with motor dysfunctions. This article provides centile curves describing normal developmental course and interindividual variation of timed performances of non-disabled children from 5 to 18 years. In a cross-sectional study (n=662) the following motor tasks were investigated: repetitive finger movements, hand and foot movements, alternating hand and foot movements, sequential finger movements, pegboard, and dynamic and static balance. Intraobserver, interobserver, and test-retest reliability for timed measurements were moderate to high. Timed performances improved throughout the entire prepubertal period, but differed among various motor tasks with respect to increase in speed and when the 'adolescent plateau' was reached. Centile curves of timed performance displayed large interindividual variation for all motor tasks. At no age were clinically relevant sex differences noted, nor did socioeconomic status significantly correlate with timed performance. Our results demonstrate that timed motor performances between 5 and 18 years are characterized by a long-lasting developmental change and a large interindividual variation. Therefore, a well standardized test instrument, and age-specific standards for motor performances are necessary preconditions for a reliable assessment of motor competence in school-age children.