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Updated: Jul 13, 2025
Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable
Published on: May 17, 2024
Biocultural correlates of gross motor coordination in prepubescent children: A cross-sectional study
Braulio Patrick da Silva Lima1, Bruno Barbosa Giudicelli1, Ingrid Kelly Alves Dos Santos Pinheiro1
1Kinanthropometry, Physical Activity and Health Promotion Laboratory (LACAPS), Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Arapiraca, Brazil.
Aim:
This study aimed to explore the association of gross motor coordination (GMC) with a matrix of biocultural factors in prepubescent children, taking into account weight status, somatic maturation, sociodemographic variables, and type of school.
Methods:
One hundred twenty-nine prepubescent children, of both sexes, aged between 8.00 and 8.99, were assessed for GMC (Körperkoordinationstest Für Kinder - KTK), weight status, biological maturation (predicted mature stature), sex, mother's education level and type of school. Binary logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between higher values of KTK and associated biocultural factors.
Results:
Normoponderal children are more likely to attain better total KTK scores than those with overweight or obesity (OR: 2.942; LC 95%: 1.189, 7.280). In addition, children who are more advanced in terms of biological maturation exhibited significantly lower odds of being in the high KTK category than their less advanced peers (OR: 0.670; LC 95%: 0.474,0.946). Sex, mother's education level and the type of school are not associated with higher performance on KTK.
Conclusion:
Weight status and biological maturation are associated with motor competence in prepubescent children. Future studies should consider additional correlates to better understand the complex interactions between biological, psychosocial and behavioral factors in the prediction of motor competence.
