Functional development of the CNS in pupils aged 7 to 19 years

In pupils aged 7 to 19 years, the functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) improved by a factor of 3 during their development. The CNS functioning was quantified in the framework of the dynamical system theory of pattern formation by the value of coordination dynamics. A transient increase in the optimal rate of arm and leg movements was observed in the pupils within 8 and 14 years of age. This high-speed moving is interpreted as a mean how the immature CNS tries to improve its functioning with respect to coordination and symmetry. Moreover, in very young pupils a lack of continuous drive of the CNS was observed; in other words, the concentration upon a certain task was not continuous. Some pupils were able to concentrate for only approximately 10 s. It was difficult for young pupils to simultaneously concentrate on two different tasks like moving and speaking or moving and thinking. It is concluded that concentration problems observed in young pupils are due to their immature CNS.