Abstracts
Abstract
The main aim of the present study was to identify motor difficulties in Greek preschoolers. Secondary aims were to identify possible differences in prevalence of motor difficulties related to gender, age, body mass index, place of residence, and hand preference. 302 preschoolers were assessed using the first age band (3–6 years) of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (2nd edition). The results showed high prevalence of significant (12.3%) and moderate (12.3%) motor difficulties in preschool children. Moreover, gender, age, BMI, residence, and hand preference effects showed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) and need further consideration among preschool children. However, there was evidence that some differences may exist between boys and girls, 4- and 5-year-old children, children with high and typical body mass index, children living in rural or urban areas, and right and left-handed children, regarding the occurrence of motor difficulties. These findings highlighted the need for early assessment in domains of motor development, such as hand dexterity, ball skills and balance in order for developmentally appropriate preschool physical education programs to be applied, with the aim to help preschoolers improve their difficulties and be physically active later in life.
Keywords:
- motor skills,
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD),
- Movement Assessment Battery for Children (2nd edition; MABC-2),
- ball skills,
- hand dexterity,
- balance
Résumé
L'objectif principal de la présente étude était d'identifier les difficultés motrices chez les enfants grecs d'âge préscolaire. Les objectifs secondaires étaient d'identifier les différences possibles dans la prévalence des difficultés motrices liées au sexe, à l'âge, à l'indice de masse corporelle, au lieu de résidence et à la préférence manuelle. 302 enfants d'âge préscolaire ont été évalués à l'aide de la première tranche d'âge (3-6 ans) de la batterie d'évaluation du mouvement pour les enfants (2e édition). Les résultats ont montré une forte prévalence de difficultés motrices importantes (12,3 %) et modérées (12,3 %) chez les enfants d'âge préscolaire. Deuxièmement, les effets du sexe, de l'âge, de l'IMC, du lieu de résidence et de la préférence manuelle n'ont pas montré de différences statistiquement significatives (p > 0,05) et nécessitent un examen plus approfondi chez les enfants d'âge préscolaire. Toutefois, des éléments indiquent qu'il peut exister des différences entre les garçons et les filles, les enfants de 4 et 5 ans, les enfants ayant un indice de masse corporelle élevé et ceux ayant un indice de masse corporelle normal, les enfants vivant dans des zones rurales ou urbaines, et les enfants droitiers et gauchers, en ce qui concerne l'apparition de difficultés motrices. Ces résultats soulignent la nécessité d'une évaluation précoce dans les domaines du développement moteur, tels que la dextérité manuelle, les habiletés avec le ballon et l'équilibre, afin d'appliquer des programmes d'éducation physique préscolaire adaptés au développement, dans le but d'aider les enfants d'âge préscolaire à surmonter leurs difficultés et à être physiquement actifs plus tard dans la vie.
Mots-clés :
- motricité,
- trouble de la coordination du développement (DCD),
- batterie d'évaluation du mouvement pour les enfants (2e édition ; MABC-2),
- habiletés avec le ballon,
- dextérité manuelle,
- équilibre
Download the article in PDF to read it.
Download
Appendices
Bibliography
- Adi-Japha, E., & Brestel, G. (2020). Motor skill learning with impaired transfer by children with Developmental Coordination Disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 103, Article 103671. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103671
- Alesi, M., Pecoraro, D., & Pepi, A. (2019). Executive functions in kindergarten children at risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 34(3), 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2018.1468635
- Amador‐Ruiz, S., Gutierrez, D., Martínez-Vizcaíno, V., Gulías‐González, R., Pardo‐Guijarro, M. J., & Sánchez-López, M. (2018). Motor competence levels and prevalence of developmental coordination disorder in Spanish children: The MOVI‐KIDS study. Journal of School Health, 88(7), 538–546. https://doi.org/10.1111/josh.12639
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5®). American Psychiatric Pub.
- Antunes, A. M., Freitas, D. L., Maia, J., Hedeker, D., Gouveia, É. R., Thomis, M., Lefevre, J., & Barnett, L. M. (2018). Motor performance, body fatness and environmental factors in preschool children. Journal of Sports Sciences, 36(20), 2289–2295. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2018.1449410
- Armitage, M., & Larkin, D. (1993). Laterality, motor asymmetry and clumsiness in children. Human Movement Science, 12(1–2), 155–177. https://doi.org/10.1016/0167-9457(93)90041-M
- Bala, G., Golubović, Š., & Katić, R. (2010). Relations between handedness and motor abilities in preschool children. Collegium Antropologicum, 34(1), 69–75. https://hrcak.srce.hr/51730
- Barnett, L. M., Van Beurden, E., Morgan, P. J., Brooks, L. O., & Beard, J. R. (2009). Childhood motor skill proficiency as a predictor of adolescent physical activity. Journal of Adolescent Health, 44(3), 252–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.07.004
- Barnett, L. M., Lai, S. K., Veldman, S. L. C., Hardy, L. L., Cliff, D. P., Morgan, P. J., Zask, A., Lubans, D. R., Shultz, S. P., Ridgers, N. D., Rush, E., Brown, H. L., & Okely, A. D. (2016). Correlates of gross motor competence in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 46(11), 1663–1688. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0495-z
- Beitel, P. A., & Mead, B. J. (1982). Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency: Further verification with 3- to 5-yr.-old children. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 54(1), 268–270. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1982.54.1.268
- Blank, R., Smits‐Engelsman, B., Polatajko, H., Wilson, P., & European Academy for Childhood Disability (2012). European Academy for Childhood Disability (EACD): Recommendations on the definition, diagnosis and intervention of Developmental Coordination Disorder (long version). Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 54(1), 1e–e7. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8749.2011.04175.x
- Bonvin, A., Barral, J., Kakebeeke, T. H., Kriemler, S., Longchamp, A., Marques-Vidal, P., & Puder, J. J. (2012). Weight status and gender-related differences in motor skills and in child care-based physical activity in young children. BMC Pediatrics, 12(1), Article 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-12-23
- Cairney, J., Hay, J. A., Faught, B. E., & Hawes, R. (2005a). Developmental Coordination Disorder and overweight and obesity in children aged 9–14 years. International Journal of Obesity, 29(4), 369–372. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802893
- Cairney, J., Hay, J., Faught, B., Mandigo, J., & Flouris, A. (2005b). Developmental Coordination Disorder, self-efficacy toward physical activity, and play: Does gender matter? Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 22(1), 67–82. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.22.1.67
- Cairney, J., Hay, J. A., Veldhuizen, S., Missiuna, C., Mahlberg, N., & Faught, B. E. (2010). Trajectories of relative weight and waist circumference among children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 182, 1167–1172. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.091454
- Cairney, J., Hay, J., Veldhuizen, S., & Faught, B. (2011). Assessment of body composition using whole body air-displacement plethysmography in children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(2), 830–835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2010.10.011
- Cairney, J., & King-Dowling, S. (2016). Developmental Coordination Disorder. In J. L. Matson (Ed.), Comorbid conditions among children with autism spectrum disorders (pp. 303–322). Springer International Publishing https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19183-6_13
- Cairney, J., & Veldhuizen, S. (2013). Is developmental coordination disorder a fundamental cause of inactivity and poor health-related fitness in children? Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 55(Suppl. 4), 55–58. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.12308
- Cairney, J., Schmidt, L. A., Veldhuizen, S., Kurdyak, P., Hay, J., & Faught, B. E. (2008). Left-handedness and developmental coordination disorder. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 53(10), 696–699. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370805301009
- Cantell, M., & Crawford, S. G. (2008). Physical fitness and health indices in children, adolescents and adults with high or low motor competence. Human Movement Science, 27(2), 344–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2008.02.007
- Cappellini, A. C., Mancini, S., Zuffellato, S., Bini, F., Polcaro, P., Conti, A. A., Molino Lova, R., & Macchi, C. (2008). Environmental effects on school age child psychomotricity. Minerva Pediatrica, 60(3), 277–284. https://www.minervamedica.it/en/journals/minerva-pediatrics/issue.php?cod=R15Y2008N03
- Castetbon, K., & Andreyeva, T. (2012). Obesity and motor skills among 4 to 6-year-old children in the United States: Nationally-representative surveys. BMC Pediatrics, 12(1), Article 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-12-28
- Causgrove Dunn, J., & Dunn, J. G. (2006). Psychosocial determinants of physical education behavior in children with movement difficulties. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 23(3), 293–309. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.23.3.293
- Chambers, M. E., & Sugden, D. A. (2002). The identification and assessment of young children with movement difficulties. International Journal of Early Years Education, 10(3), 157–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/0966976022000044717
- Chow, S. M., Henderson, S. E., & Barnett, A. L. (2001). The Movement Assessment Battery for Children: A comparison of 4-year-old to 6-year-old children from Hong Kong and the United States. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy: Official Publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 55(1), 55–61. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.55.1.55
- Chow, S. M., Hsu, Y. W., Henderson, S. E., Barnett, A. L., & Lo, S. K. (2006). The movement ABC: A cross-cultural comparison of preschool children from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the USA. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 23(1), 31–48. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.23.1.31
- Cleland, F. E., & Gallahue, D. L. (1993). Young children’s divergent movement ability. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 77(2), 535–544. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.1993.77.2.535
- Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Lawrence Earlbaum Associates.
- Cratty, B.J. (1994). Clumsy child. Syndromes, descriptions, evaluation and remediation. Harwood Academic Publishers.
- D’ Hondt, E., Gentier, I., Deforche, B., Tanghe, A., De Bourdeaudhuij, I., & Lenoir, M. (2011). Weight loss and improved gross motor coordination in children as a result of multidisciplinary residential obesity treatment. Obesity, 19(10), 1999–2005. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2011.150
- D’Hondt, E., Deforche, B., De Bourdeaudhuij, I., & Lenoir, M. (2009). Relationship between motor skill and body mass index in 5-to 10-year-old children. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 26(1), 21–37. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.26.1.21
- Dana, A., Habibi, Z., Hashemi, M., & Asghari, A. (2011). A Description and comparison of anthropometrical and physical fitness characteristics in urban and rural 7-11 years old boys and girls in Golestan Province. Iran. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 8(1), 231–236. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3947479
- Darrah, J., Senthilselvan, A., & Magill-Evans, J. (2009). Trajectories of serial motor scores of typically developing children: Implications for clinical decision making. Infant Behavior and Development, 32(1), 72–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2008.10.001
- Darvik, M., Lorås, H., & Pedersen, A. V. (2018). The prevalence of left-handedness is higher among individuals with Developmental Coordination Disorder than in the general population. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, Article 1948. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01948
- Della Barba, P. C. S., Luiz, E. M., Pinheiro, R. C., & Lourenço, G. F. (2017). Prevalence of Developmental Coordination Disorder signs in children 5 to 14 years in São Carlos. Motricidade, 13(3), 22–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.10058
- Dewey, D., Creighton, D. E., Heath, J. A., Wilson, B. N., Anseeuw-Deeks, D., Crawford, S. G., & Sauve, R. (2011). Assessment of Developmental Coordination Disorder in children born with extremely low birth weights. Developmental Neuropsychology, 36(1), 42–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/87565641.2011.540535
- Dewey, D., Kaplan, B. J., Crawford, S. G., & Wilson, B. N. (2002). Developmental Coordination Disorder: Associated problems in attention, learning, and psychosocial adjustment. Human Movement Science, 21(5–6), 905–918. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-9457(02)00163-X
- Dourou, E., Komessariou, A., Riga, V., & Lavidas, K. (2017). Assessment of gross and fine motor skills in preschool children using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales Instrument. European Psychomotricity Journal, 9(1), 89–113. https://psychomotor.gr/
- Dussart, G. (1994). Identifying the clumsy child in school: An exploratory study. British Journal of Special Education, 21(2), 81–86. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ489458
- Ellinoudis, T., Kourtessis, T., Kiparissis, M., Kampas, A., & Mavromatis, G. (2008). Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC): Measuring the construct validity for Greece in a sample of elementary school aged children. International Journal of Health Science, 1(2), 56–60.
- Engel-Yeger, B., Rosenblum, S., & Josman, N. (2010). Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC): Establishing construct validity for Israeli children. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 31(1), 87–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2009.08.001
- Faught, B. E., Demetriades, S., Hay, J., & Cairney, J. (2013). Does relative body fat influence the Movement ABC-2 assessment in children with and without developmental coordination disorder? Research in Developmental Disabilities, 34(12), 4433–4438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2013.09.016
- Flouris, A. D., Faught, B. E., Hay, J., & Cairney, J. (2005). Exploring the origins of developmental disorders. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 47(7), 436. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0012162205000848
- Freitas, C., Vasconcelos, M. O., & Botelho, M. (2014). Handedness and Developmental Coordination Disorder in Portuguese children: Study with the M-ABC test. Laterality: Asymmetries of Body, Brain and Cognition, 19(6), 655–676. https://doi.org/10.1080/1357650X.2014.897349
- Gabbard, C., Hart, S., & Kanipe, D. (1993). Hand preference consistency and fine motor performance in young children. Cortex: A Journal Devoted to the Study of the Nervous System and Behavior, 29(4), 749–753. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0010-9452(13)80295-x
- Gallahue, D. L., Ozmun, J. C., & Goodway, J. (2006). Understanding motor development: Infants, children, adolescents, adults. McGraw-Hill.
- Giagazoglou, P., Fotiadou, E., Angelopoulou, N., Tsikoulas, J., & Tsimaras, V. (2001). Gross and fine motor skills of left-handed preschool children. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 92(Suppl. 3), 1122–1128. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.2001.92.3c.1122
- Giagazoglou, P., Kabitsis, N., Kokaridas, D., Zaragas, C., Katartzi, E., & Kabitsis, C. (2011). The Movement Assessment Battery in Greek preschoolers: The impact of age, gender, birth order, and physical activity on motor outcome. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(6), 2577–2582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2011.06.020
- Giagazoglou, P., Kyparos, A., Fotiadou, E., & Angelopoulou, N. (2007) The effect of residence area and mother’s education on motor development of preschool aged children in Greece. Early Child Development and Care, 177(5), 479–492. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430600563786
- Gidley-Larson, J., Mostofsky, S., Goldberg, M., Cutting. L., Denckla, M., & Mahone, E. (2007). Effects of gender and age on motor exam in typically developing children. Developmental Neuropsychology, 32, 543–562. https://doi.org/10.1080/87565640701361013
- Goez, H., & Zelnik, N. (2008). Handedness in patients with Developmental Coordination Disorder. Journal of Child Neurology, 23(2), 151–154. https://doi.org/10.1177/0883073807307978
- Graf, C., Koch, B., Kretschmann-Kandel, E., Falkowski, G., Christ, H., Coburger, S., Lehmacher, W., Bjarnason-Wehrens, B., Platen, P., Tokarski, W., & Predel, H. G. (2004). Correlation between BMI, leisure habits and motor abilities in childhood (CHILT-project). International Journal of Obesity, 28(1), 22–26. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0802428
- Green, D., Lingam, R., Mattocks, C., Riddoch, C., Ness, A., & Emond, A. (2011). The risk of reduced physical activity in children with probable Developmental Coordination Disorder: A prospective longitudinal study. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(4), 1332–1342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2011.01.04
- Gwynne, K., & Blick, B. (2004). Motor performance checklist for 5‐year‐olds: A tool for identifying children at risk of developmental co‐ordination disorder. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 40(7), 369–373. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1754.2004.00404.x
- Hadders-Algra, M. (2000). The neuronal group selection theory: promising principles for understanding and treating developmental motor disorders. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 42(10), 707–715. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0012162200001316
- Henderson, S. E., Sugden, D. A., & Barnett, A. L. (2007). Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 Second Edition. The Psychological Corporation.
- Hirata, S., Kita, Y., Yasunaga, M., Suzuki, K., Okumura, Y., Okuzumi, H., Hosobuchi, T., Kokubun, M., Inagaki, M., & Nakai, A. (2018). Applicability of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2) for Japanese children aged 3–6 years: A preliminary investigation emphasizing internal consistency and factorial validity. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, Article 1452. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01452
- Hulteen, R. M., Morgan, P. J., Barnett, L. M., Stodden, D. F., & Lubans, D. R. (2018). Development of foundational movement skills: A conceptual model for physical activity across the lifespan. Sports Medicine, 48(7), 1533–1540. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-018-0892-6
- Iversen, S., Knivsberg, A. M., Ellertsen, B., Nødland, M., & Larsen, T. B. (2006). Motor coordination difficulties in 5–6‐year‐old children with severe behavioral and emotional problems. Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties, 11(3), 169–185. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632750600833817
- Jelovčan, G., & Zurc, J. (2016). Preschool children’s results in movement ABC tests: Differences between girls and boys in movement deficit. Annales Kinesiologiae, 7(1), 3–19. http://ojs.zrs-kp.si/index.php/AK/article/view/114
- Jin, H., Gu, G., Qin, Z., & Ma, Y. (2015). A population study of parenting and biological risk factors for children’s Developmental Coordination Disorder. Journal of Child and Adolescent Behavior, 3(6). https://doi.org/10.4172/2375-4494.1000260
- Jones, A. P., Coombes, E. G., Griffin, S. J., & van Sluijs, E. M. (2009). Environmental supportiveness for physical activity in English schoolchildren: A study using Global Positioning Systems. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 6(1), Article 42. https://doi.org/10.1186/1479-5868-6-42
- Junaid, K. A., & Fellowes, S. (2006). Gender differences in the attainment of motor skills on the movement assessment battery for children. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 26(1–2), 5–11.
- Kambas, A., Venetsanou, F., Giannakidou, D., Fatouros, I. G., Avloniti, A., Chatzinikolaou, A., Draganidis, D., & Zimmer, R. (2012). The Motor-Proficiency-Test for children between 4 and 6 years of age (MOT 4–6): An investigation of its suitability in Greece. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 33(5), 1626–1632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2012.04.002
- Karkera, A., Swaminathan, N., Pais, S. M., Vishal, K., & Rai, S. (2014). Physical fitness and activity levels among urban school children and their rural counterparts. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 81(4), 356–361. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-013-1033-8
- Katartzi, E. S., & Vlachopoulos, S. P. (2011). Motivating children with Developmental Coordination Disorder in school physical education: The self-determination theory approach. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(6), 2674–2682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2011.06.005
- Kennedy-Behr, A., Rodger, S., & Mickan, S. (2013). A comparison of the play skills of preschool children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 33(4), 198–208. https://doi.org/10.3928/15394492-20130912-03
- Kita, Y., Suzuki, K., Hirata, S., Sakihara, K., Inagaki, M., & Nakai, A. (2016). Applicability of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-to Japanese children: A study of the Age Band 2. Brain and Development, 38(8), 706–713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.braindev.2016.02.012
- Kokštejn, J., Musálek, M., Šťastný, P., & Golas, A. (2017a). Fundamental motor skills of Czech children at the end of the preschool period. Acta Gymnica, 47(4), 193–200. https://doi.org/10.5507/ag.2017.024
- Kokštejn, J., Musálek, M., & Tufano, J. J. (2017b). Are sex differences in fundamental motor skills uniform throughout the entire preschool period? PLoS One, 12(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0176556
- Kourtessis, T., Tsougou, E., Maheridou, M., Tsigilis, N., Psalti, M., & Kioumourtzoglou, E. (2008). Developmental Coordination Disorder in early childhood-A preliminary epidemiological study in Greek schools. The International Journal of Medicine, 1(2), 95–99.
- Kriemler, S., Manser-Wenger, S., Zahner, L., Braun-Fahrländer, C., Schindler, C., & Puder, J. J. (2008). Reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, low physical activity and an urban environment are independently associated with increased cardiovascular risk in children. Diabetologia, 51(8), 1408–1415. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-008-1067-z
- Krombholz, H. (2013). Motor and cognitive performance of overweight preschool children. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 116(1), 40–57. https://doi.org/10.2466/22.25.PMS.116.1.40-57
- Landgren, M., Kjellman, B., & Gillberg, C. (2000). Deficits in attention, motor control and perception (DAMP): A simplified school entry examination. Acta Paediatrica, 89(3), 302–309. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2000.tb01332.x
- Largo, R. H., Fischer, J. E., & Rousson, V. (2003). Neuromotor development from kindergarten age to adolescence: Developmental course and variability. Swiss Medical Weekly, 133(13–14), 193–200. https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-34720
- Larkin, D., & Rakimov, B. (2006). Children with motor learning difficulties in the school environment. ACHPER Australia Healthy Lifestyles Journal, 53(3–4), 5–9. https://doi.org/10.3316/aeipt.157669
- Laukkanen, A., Pesola, A. J., Finni, T., & Sääkslahti, A. (2017). Body mass index in the early years in relation to motor coordination at the age of 5–7 years. Sports, 5(3), Article 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports5030049
- Li, Y. C., Wu, S. K., Cairney, J., & Hsieh, C. Y. (2011). Motor coordination and health-related physical fitness of children with developmental coordination disorder: A three-year follow-up study. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(6), 2993–3002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2011.04.009
- Livesey, D., Coleman, R., & Piek, J. (2007). Performance on the Movement Assessment Battery for children by Australian 3‐to 5‐year‐old children. Child: Care, Health and Development, 33(6), 713–719. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2007.00733.x
- Logan, S. W., Scrabis-Fletcher, K., Modlesky, C., & Getchell, N. (2011). The relationship between motor skill proficiency and body mass index in preschool children. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 82(3), 442–448. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2011.10599776
- Lopes, V. P., Stodden, D. F., Bianchi, M. M., Maia, J. A., & Rodrigues, L. P. (2012). Correlation between BMI and motor coordination in children. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 15(1), 38–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2011.07.005
- Loucaides, CA., Plotnikoff, R., & Bercovitz, K. (2007). Differences in the correlates of physical activity between urban and rural Canadian youth. Journal of School Health, 77(4) 164–170. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1746-1561.2007.00187.x
- Malina, R. M. (2004). Motor development during infancy and early childhood: Overview and suggested directions for research. International Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2, 50–66. https://doi.org/10.5432/ijshs.2.50
- Mamalakis, G., Kafatos, A., Manios, Y., Anagnostopoulou, T., & Apostolaki, I. (2000). Obesity indices in a cohort of primary school children in Crete: A six-year prospective study. International Journal of Obesity, 24(6), 765–771. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0801223
- Markou, P., Ahtam, B., & Papadatou-Pastou, M. (2017). Elevated levels of atypical handedness in Autism: Meta-analyses. Neuropsychology Review, 27, 258–283. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-017-9354-4
- Mensink, G. B., Loose, N., & Oomen, C. M. (1997). Physical activity and its association with other lifestyle factors. European Journal of Epidemiology, 13(7), 771–778. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1007474220830
- Mercê, C., Branco, M., Fernandes, O., & Catela, D. (2019). Prevalence of Developmental Coordination Disorder in Rio Maior and São João da Ribeira in children with 3 and 4 years old. Medi@ções–Revista OnLine da Escola Superior de Educação do Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal, 7(2), 179–192. https://mediacoes.ese.ips.pt/index.php/mediacoesonline/article/view/132
- Mikami, M., Hirota, T., Takahashi, M., Adachi, M., Saito, M., Koeda, S., Yoshida, K., Sakamoto, Y., Kato, S., Nakamura, K., & Yamada, J. (2020). Atypical sensory processing profiles and their associations with motor problems in preschoolers with Developmental Coordination Disorder. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 52(2), 311–320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-020-01013-5
- Missiuna, C., Rivard, L., & Pollock, N. (2011). Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: At home, at school, and in the community. CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability: McMaster University, Hamilton.
- Marinković, D. (2013). The relationship between coordination, motor abilities and anthropometric characteristics of preschool girls. Exercise and Quality of Life, 5(1), 43–52. 10.5937/exquli1301043M
- Monastiridi, S. G., Katartzi, E. S., Kontou, M. G., Kourtessis, T., & Vlachopoulos, S. (2020). Positive relations of physical fitness and exercise intervention programs with motor competence and health related quality of life in Developmental Coordination Disorder: A systematic review. European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science, 6(2), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3701897
- Morano, M., Colella, D., & Caroli, M. (2011). Gross motor skill performance in a sample of overweight and non-overweight preschool children. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity: IJPO: An Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 6(Suppl. 2), 42–46. https://doi.org/10.3109/17477166.2011.613665
- Mori, S., Iteya, M., & Gabbard, C. (2007). Hand preference consistency and simple rhythmic bimanual coordination in preschool children. Perceptual and Motor skills, 104(3), 792–798. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.104.3.792-79
- Musalek, M., Kokstejn, J., Papez, P., Scheffler, C., Mumm, R., Czernitzki, A. F., & Koziel, S. (2017). Impact of normal weight obesity on fundamental motor skills in pre-school children aged 3 to 6 years. Anthropologischer Anzeiger: Bericht uber die biologisch-anthropologische Literatur, 74(3), 203–212. https://doi.org/10.1127/anthranz/2017/0752
- Nelson, J. K., Thomas, J. R., Nelson, K. R., & Abraham, P. C. (1986). Gender differences in children's throwing performance: Biology and environment. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 57(4), 280–287.
- Nervik, D., Martin, K., Rundquist, P., & Cleland, J. (2011). The relationship between Βody Μass Ιndex and gross motor development in children aged 3 to 5 years. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 23(2), 144–148. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0b013e318218d356
- Niemistö, D., Finni, T., Haapala, E. A., Cantell, M., Korhonen, E., & Sääkslahti, A. (2019). Environmental correlates of motor competence in children—Τhe skilled kids study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(11), Article 1989. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16111989
- Nordbye-Nielsen, K., & Kesmodel, U. S. (2014). Parental Questionnaire as a screening instrument for motor function at age five. Danish Medical Journal, 61(12), Article A4976.
- Okely, A. D., Booth, M. L., & Chey, T. (2004). Relationships between body composition and fundamental movement skills among children and adolescents. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 75(3), 238–247. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2004.10609157
- Olesen, L. G., Kristensen, P. L., Ried-Larsen, M., Grøntved, A., & Froberg, K. (2014). Physical activity and motor skills in children attending 43 preschools: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pediatrics, 14, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2431-14-229
- Özdirenç, M., Özcan, A., Akin, F., & Gelecek, N. (2005). Physical fitness in rural children compared with urban children in Turkey. Pediatrics International, 47(1), 26–31.
- Papadopoulos, D., Fatouros, I., & Taxildaris, K. (2008). Motor proficiency, physical activity and Body Mass Index in preschool aged children. European Psychomotricity Journal, 1(1), 61–66.
- Parks, S. E., Housemann, R. A., & Brownson, R. C. (2003). Differential correlates of physical activity in urban and rural adults of various socioeconomic backgrounds in the United States. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 57(1), 29–35. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.57.1.29
- Piek, J. P., Bradbury, G. S., Elsley, S. C., & Tate, L. (2008). Motor coordination and social–emotional behavior in preschool‐aged children. International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 55(2), 143–151. https://doi.org/10.1080/10349120802033592
- Piek, J. P., Hands, B., & Licari, M. K. (2012). Assessment of motor functioning in the preschool period. Neuropsychology Review, 22(4), 402–413. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11065-012-9211-4
- Puciato, D., Mynarski, W., Rozpara, M., Borysiuk, Z., &Szyguła, R. (2011). Motor Development of children and adolescents aged 8-16 years in view of their somatic build and objective quality of life of their families. Journal of Human Kinetics, 28, 45–53. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10078-011-0021-1
- Pulzi, W., & Rodrigues, G. M. (2015). Coordination Development Disorder: A literature review. Brazilian Journal of Special Education, 21(3), 433–444. https://cpe.psychopen.eu/index.php/cpe/article/view/4165
- Reeder, B. A., Chen, Y., Macdonald, S. M., Angel, A., & Sweet, L. (1997). Regional and rural-urban differences in obesity in Canada. Canadian Heart Health Surveys Research Group. CMAJ: Canadian Medical Association journal / Journal de l'Association Medicale Canadienne, 157(Suppl. 1), S10–S16.
- Rivilis, I., Hay, J., Cairney, J., Klentrou, P., Liu, J., & Faught, B. E. (2011). Physical activity and fitness in children with developmental coordination disorder: A systematic review. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(3), 894–910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2011.01.017
- Roberts, D., Veneri, D., Decker, R., & Gannotti, M. (2012). Weight status and gross motor skill in kindergarten children. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 24(4), 353–360. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0b013e3182680f19
- Rodger, S., Ziviani, J., Watter, P., Ozanne, A., Woodyatt, G., & Springfeld, E. (2003). Motor and functional skills of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A pilot investigation of measurement issues. Human Movement Science, 22, 461–478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2003.09.004
- Rodriguez, M. C., Wade, T. J., Veldhuizen, S., Missiuna, C., Timmons, B., & Cairney, J. (2019). Emotional and behavioral problems in 4-and 5-year-old children with and without motor delays. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 7, Article 474. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2019.00474
- Rosenblum, S., Waissman, P., & Diamond, G. W. (2017). Identifying play characteristics of pre-school children with Developmental Coordination Disorder via parental questionnaires. Human Movement Science, 53, 5–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2016.11.003
- Saraiva, L., Rodrigues, L. P., Cordovil, R., & Barreiros, J. (2013). Influence of age, sex and somatic variables on the motor performance of pre-school children. Annals of Human Biology, 40(5), 444–450. https://doi.org/10.3109/03014460.2013.802012
- Sasso, R. R, Graup, S., Lara, S., de Souza B., R., dos Santos Chiquetti, E. M., & de Sá, M. V. (2018). Motor development of children in rural and urban areas: A comparative study. Science & Health, 11(3), 151–157.
- Schott, N., Alof, V., Hultsch, D., & Meermann, D. (2007). Physical fitness in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 78(5), 438–450. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2007.10599444
- Serbetar, I., Loftesnes, J. M., & Mamen, A. (2019). Reliability and structural validity of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 in Croatian preschool children. Sports, 7(12), Article 248. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7120248
- Sigmundsson, H., & Rostoft, M. S. (2003). Motor development: Exploring the motor competence of 4-year-old Norwegian children. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 47(4), 451–459. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313830308588
- Simen-Kapeu, A., Kuhle, S., & Veugelers, P. J. (2010). Geographic differences in childhood overweight, physical activity, nutrition and neighborhood facilities: Implications for prevention. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 101(2), 128–132. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03404357
- Singh, D. K. A., Rahman, N. N. A. A., Rajikan, R., Zainudin, A., Nordin, N. A. M., Karim, Z. A., & Yee, Y. H. (2015). Balance and motor skills among preschool children aged 3 to 4 years old. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 11(1), 63–68.
- Southall, J. E., Okely, A. D., & Steele, J. R. (2004). Actual and Perceived Physical Competence in Overweight and Nonoverweight Children. Pediatric Exercise Science, 16(1), 15–24. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.16.1.15
- Spessato, B. C., Gabbard, C., Valentini, N., & Rudisill, M. (2012). Gender differences in Brazilian children’s fundamental movement skill performance. Early Child Development and Care, 183(7), 916–923. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004430.2012.689761
- Stodden, D. F., Goodway, J. D., Langendorfer, S. J., Roberton, M. A., Rudisill, M. E., Garcia, C., & Garcia, L. E. (2008). A developmental perspective on the role of motor skill competence in physical activity: An emergent relationship. Quest, 60(2), 290–306. https://doi.org/10.1080/00336297.2008.10483582
- Suliga, E. (2009). Socio-economic differentiation of the growth and the dietary intake of Polish boys aged 7–16 years. Annals of Human Biology, 36(2), 199–210. https://doi.org/10.1080/03014460802698872
- Tambalis, K. D., Panagiotakos, D. B., & Sidossis, L. S. (2011). Greek children living in rural areas are heavier but fitter compared to their urban counterparts: A comparative, time-series (1997–2008) analysis. The Journal of Rural Health, 27(3), 270–277. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-0361.2010.00346.x
- Thelen, E. (1995). Motor development: A new synthesis. American Psychologist, 50(2), 79–95. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.50.2.79
- Thomas, J. R., & French, K. E. (1985). Gender differences across age in motor performance: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 260–282. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.98.2.260
- Thomas, P., Peabody, J., Turnier, V., & Clark, R. H. (2000). A new look at intrauterine growth and the impact of race, altitude, and gender. Pediatrics, 106(2), E21. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.106.2.e21
- Tsimeas, P. D., Tsiokanos, A. L., Koutedakis, Y., Tsigilis, N., & Kellis, S. (2005). Does living in urban or rural settings affect aspects of physical fitness in children? An allometric approach. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 39(9), 671–674. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2004.017384
- Tsiotra, G. D., Flouris, A. D., Koutedakis, Y., Faught, B. E., Nevill, A. M., Lane, A. M., & Skenteris, N. (2006). A comparison of developmental coordination disorder prevalence rates in Canadian and Greek children. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39(1), 125–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2005.07.011
- Tsiotra, G. D., Nevill, A. M., Lane, A. M., & Koutedakis, Y. (2009). Physical fitness and developmental coordination disorder in Greek children. Pediatric Exercise Science, 21(2), 186–195. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.21.2.186
- Valentini, N. C., Coutinho, M. T. C., Pansera, S. M., Santos, V. A. P. D., Vieira, J. L. L., Ramalho, M. H., & Oliveira, M. A. D. (2012). Prevalence of motor deficits and Developmental Coordination Disorders in children from South Brazil. Revista Paulista de Pediatria, 30(3), 377–384. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0103-05822012000300011
- Valentini, N. C., Ramalho, M. H., & Oliveira, M. A. (2014). Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2: Translation, reliability, and validity for Brazilian children. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35(3), 733–740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2013.10.028
- Van Waelvelde, H., Peersman, W., Lenoir, M., Engelsman, B. C. S., & Henderson, S. E. (2008). The Movement Assessment Battery for Children: Similarities and differences between 4-and 5-year-old children from Flanders and the United States. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 20(1), 30–38. https://doi.org/10.1097/PEP.0b013e31815ee2b2
- Venetsanou, F., & Kambas, A. (2010). Environmental factors affecting preschoolers’ motor development. Early Childhood Education Journal, 37(4), 319–327. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-009-0350-z
- Venetsanou, F., & Kambas, A. (2011). The effects of age and gender on balance skills in preschool children. Facta Universitatis-Series: Physical Education and Sport, 9(1), 81–90.
- Venetsanou, F., & Kambas, A. (2016). Motor proficiency in young children: A closer look at potential gender differences. Sage Open, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015626226
- Venetsanou, F., Kambas, A., Ellinoudis, T., Fatouros, I., Giannakidou, D., & Kourtessis, T. (2011). Can the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Test be the “gold standard” for the motor assessment of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder? Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2010.09.006
- Venter, A., Pienaar, A. E., & Coetzee, D. (2015). Extent and nature of motor difficulties based on age, ethnicity, gender and socio-economic status in a selected group of three-to five-year-old children. South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation, 37(3), 169–183. https://doi.org/10520/EJC181040
- Vlachos, F., Papadimitriou, A., & Bonoti, F. (2014). An investigation of age and gender differences in preschool children’s specific motor skills. European Psychomotricity Journal, 6(1), 16–18.
- Walhain, F., Van Gorp, M., Lamur, K. S., Veeger, D. H., & Ledebt, A. (2016). Health-related fitness, motor coordination, and physical and sedentary activities of urban and rural children in Suriname. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 13(10), 1035–1041. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2015-0445
- Wall, A. T. (2004). The developmental skill-learning gap hypothesis: Implications for children with movement difficulties. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 21(3), 197–218. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.21.3.197
- Wang, J. H., Wu, M. C., & Chang, H. H. (2013). Urban-rural disparity in physical fitness of elementary schoolchildren in Taiwan. Pediatrics International, 55(3), 346–354. https://doi.org/10.1111/ped.12044
- Williams, H. G., Pfeiffer, K. A., O’Neill, J. R., Dowda, M., McIver, K. L., Brown, W. H., & Pate, R. R. (2008). Motor skill performance and physical activity in preschool children. Obesity, 16(6), 1421–1426. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2008.214
- Wright, H. C., & Sugden, D. A. (1998). A school-based intervention program for children with Developmental Coordination Disorder. European Journal of Physical Education, 3(1), 35–50. https://doi.org/10.1080/1740898980030104
- Yang, S. C., Lin, S. J., & Tsai, C. Y. (2015). Effect of sex, age, and BMI on the development of locomotor skills and object control skills among preschool children. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 121(3), 873–888. https://doi.org/10.2466/10.PMS.121c29x0
- Zachopoulou, E., & Makri, A. (2005). A developmental perspective of divergent movement ability in early young children. Early Child Development and Care, 175(1), 85–95. https://doi.org/10.1080/0300443042000230401
- Zaragas, C., Tsitsanoudi-Mallidi, N., & Aggelaki, A. (2013). Motor education and vocabulary development of arithmetical and geometrical concepts in kindergarten and primary education. In Language learning and assessment—Challenges and implications (pp. 89–111). Untested Ideas Research Center.
- Zaragas, H. I., & Gajoya, D. N. (2019). Assessing motor development with two different tests in preschool children. Research in Education, 8(1), 145–162. https://doi.org/10.12681/hjre.20808
- Zhu, Y. C., Cairney, J., Li, Y. C., Chen, W. Y., Chen, F. C., & Wu, S. K. (2014). High risk for obesity in children with a subtype of developmental coordination disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35(7), 1727–1733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2014.02.020
- Zhu, Y. C., Wu, S. K., & Cairney, J. (2011). Obesity and motor coordination ability in Taiwanese children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 32(2), 801–807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2010.10.020