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Neuromotor development from 5 to 18 years. Part 2: associated movements
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
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|July 21, 2001
Summary
Associated movements (AMs) decrease with age, but this change varies by motor task complexity. Reference curves reveal significant individual differences in AMs, crucial for assessing children's movement quality.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric motor development
- Movement quality assessment
- Childhood kinesiology
Background:
- Associated movements (AMs) are key indicators of movement quality in children, particularly those with motor dysfunctions.
- Existing research highlights the importance of AMs, but comprehensive reference data across different motor tasks and age ranges is limited.
- Understanding the normative development of AMs is essential for accurate clinical assessment and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference curves for the duration and degree of associated movements (AMs) in non-disabled children aged 5 to 18 years.
- To analyze the developmental trajectory of AMs in relation to motor task complexity.
- To investigate interindividual variations and sex differences in AMs during development.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 662 non-disabled children assessed at six age points.
- Participants performed a battery of motor tasks including repetitive, alternating, sequential, and balance-related movements.
- Duration and degree of AMs were measured with noted moderate-to-high intraobserver and interobserver reliability.
Main Results:
- Associated movements (AMs) showed a non-linear developmental decrease, influenced by motor task complexity.
- The rate of AM decrease with age was highest in repetitive movements and lowest in pegboard and dynamic balance tasks.
- Significant interindividual variations and notable sex differences in AMs were observed, contrasting with timed performance measures.
Conclusions:
- Reference curves for AMs demonstrate a complex developmental pattern and substantial interindividual variability, necessitating careful consideration in movement quality assessments.
- The findings underscore the importance of task-specific analysis and individual profiling when evaluating children's motor skills.
- Sex differences in AMs suggest potential distinct developmental pathways that warrant further investigation.