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Children
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Motor Development in Children
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Motor Development in Children

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Pediatric Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 14213

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. María Carratalá-Tejada

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Campus de Alcorcón, Av. de Atenas S/N, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
Interests: child rehabilitation; motor development; neurorehabilitation; movement analysis; biomechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Alicia Cuesta-Gómez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Campus de Alcorcón, Av. de Atenas S/N, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
Interests: child rehabilitation; motor development; neurorehabilitation; movement analysis; biomechanics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Correct motor development in children is essential to acquire all the motor skills necessary for independence in daily activities. However, alterations in this development are very common disorders throughout a child's developmental stage and can limit the acquisition of gross and fine motor skills.

This Special Issue of Children focuses on the different alterations in motor development in children who present with some type of neurological pathology, such as cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, myopathies, minor neurological dysfunctions, etc., or those who do not present with neurological damage but present deficits in motor development, such as children who are preterm or present with developmental coordination disorders, among others.

Papers addressing these topics are invited for this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. María Carratalá-Tejada
Prof. Dr. Alicia Cuesta-Gómez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • motor development
  • postural control
  • children
  • child rehabilitation
  • gross motor skills
  • fine motor skills

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 256 KiB  
Article
Relationship between Gross Motor Coordination and Health-Related Fitness in Serbian Preschool Children
by Nenad Stojiljković, Nebojša Trajković, Doroteja Rančić, Mihai Olanescu, Adrian Suciu and Danut Popa
Children 2024, 11(8), 933; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11080933 - 31 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1452
Abstract
Background: The relationship between motor coordination and physical fitness in preschool children is of significant interest due to its implications for overall health and development. This study aims to investigate the correlation between gross motor coordination, as assessed by the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder [...] Read more.
Background: The relationship between motor coordination and physical fitness in preschool children is of significant interest due to its implications for overall health and development. This study aims to investigate the correlation between gross motor coordination, as assessed by the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK), and health-related physical fitness components. Methods: A cross-sectional study, involving 139 preschool-aged children, was conducted. Physical fitness was assessed using the PREFIT fitness test battery, which includes measures of flexibility, muscular strength, speed/agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Motor coordination was evaluated using the KTK test, comprising four subtests. Results: Pearson correlation analysis revealed weak to strong positive and negative correlations between motor coordination and various physical fitness measures, including flexibility (r = 0.402; p = 0.01), muscular strength (r = 0.178; r = 0.487; r = 0.601; p < 0.05), speed/agility (r = −0.742; p = 0.01), and endurance (r = 0.539; p = 0.01). Additionally, hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated significant influence of motor coordination on physical fitness, explaining a notable percentage of the variance across different fitness components (3.2–55%). Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of motor coordination in shaping physical fitness levels in preschool children. Promoting motor coordination skills early in childhood may have long-term benefits for overall health and fitness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motor Development in Children)
15 pages, 762 KiB  
Article
Postural Control and Neuromuscular Activation in 11–13-Year-Old Athletic Boy Swimmers
by Rym Baccouch, Ghada Jouira, Cristina Ioana Alexe, Dragoș Ioan Tohănean and Dan Iulian Alexe
Children 2024, 11(7), 863; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11070863 - 16 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1622
Abstract
Objective: This study compared postural control and neuromuscular activation in athletic swimmers (A-S) and non-athletic swimmers (N-A-S) in older children. Methods: Ten A-S and ten N-A-S underwent assessments of center of pressure (CoP) parameters under static and dynamic surfaces in two directions (dynamic [...] Read more.
Objective: This study compared postural control and neuromuscular activation in athletic swimmers (A-S) and non-athletic swimmers (N-A-S) in older children. Methods: Ten A-S and ten N-A-S underwent assessments of center of pressure (CoP) parameters under static and dynamic surfaces in two directions (dynamic mediolateral (DML) and dynamic anteroposterior (DAP)) in eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions, and electromyography (EMG) parameters under DAP and DML directions in EO and EC conditions. Results: Results showed that A-S demonstrated significantly superior postural control (p < 0.05), with smaller CoP area and lower CoP mean velocity compared with N-A-S, particularly in static with EC, DAP with EO and EC, and DML with EO conditions. A-S exhibited significantly larger neuromuscular activation amplitudes (p < 0.05), especially in the AP direction. Conclusions: These findings suggested that athletic swimming training may enhance postural control and neuromuscular activation in 11–13-year-old children, emphasizing the potential benefits of incorporating swimming exercises in these children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motor Development in Children)
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11 pages, 503 KiB  
Article
Validity of the BOT-2 Short Form for Korean School-Age Children: A Preliminary Study
by Deukgeun Yoon, Dabin Choi, Misun Kim, Seokyeon Ji, Yoo-Sook Joung and Eun Young Kim
Children 2024, 11(6), 724; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060724 - 13 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1897
Abstract
The Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition (BOT-2) is the most common motor assessment in Korea. The BOT-2–Short Form (SF) is preferred over the complete form (CF) in settings with limited time. The present study aimed to assess the validity of the [...] Read more.
The Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition (BOT-2) is the most common motor assessment in Korea. The BOT-2–Short Form (SF) is preferred over the complete form (CF) in settings with limited time. The present study aimed to assess the validity of the BOT-2 SF in Korean school-age children. First, we verified that the BOT-2 SF reflects developmental changes in motor skills. Second, we compared the BOT-2 SF scores to those of the BOT-2 CF. A total of 283 Korean school-age children performed the BOT-2. The differences in the BOT-2 SF point according to age group (7 years, 8–9 years, and 10–12 years) were analyzed. A correlation analysis of the standard scores between the BOT-2 SF and CF was conducted. The sensitivity and specificity of the BOT-2 SF were calculated in reference to its CF. Overall, the BOT-2 SF point scores increased with age. The correlation between the total scores of the BOT-2 SF and CF was strong. The BOT-2 SF had a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 92%. This study has demonstrated the validity of the BOT-2 SF in Korean school-age children. The BOT2 SF can be useful in screening Korean school-age children with motor skills problems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motor Development in Children)
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12 pages, 303 KiB  
Article
Development of Basic Motor Skills from 3 to 10 Years of Age: Comparison by Sex and Age Range in Chilean Children
by Juan Hurtado-Almonacid, Tomás Reyes-Amigo, Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda, Guillermo Cortés-Roco, Cristian Oñate-Navarrete, Jorge Olivares-Arancibia and Jacqueline Páez-Herrera
Children 2024, 11(6), 715; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060715 - 11 Jun 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2008
Abstract
Basic motor skills are recognized as fundamental movements that allow children to interact with their environment and are identified as the basic structure on which more complex movements are built. Objective: to identify the level of motor development of children from 3 to [...] Read more.
Basic motor skills are recognized as fundamental movements that allow children to interact with their environment and are identified as the basic structure on which more complex movements are built. Objective: to identify the level of motor development of children from 3 to 10 years of age according to sex and age group. Methodology. We studied a sample with a total of 328 participants (girls = 170; boys = 158) at preschool (n = 154) and school levels (n = 174). The ages of the students ranged from 3 to 10 years, with a mean of 5.94 years (±2.53). TGMD2 was applied to identify motor development. Results: boys and girls present low levels of physical activity, with most of them in the very poor, poor, and low-average categories (n = 182, 55.5%). Levels of motor development in locomotion, manipulation, and general development by age show significant differences (p = 0.000). However, levels of development by sex are not significant in manipulation, locomotion, and gross motor skills tests, respectively (p = 0.150, p = 0.208, and p = 0.210), and in relation to chronological age and motor development age show significant differences (p = 0.000). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motor Development in Children)
12 pages, 802 KiB  
Article
Postural Control and Sensory Processing in Preschool Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Marta Ferreiro-Pérez, Vanesa Abuín-Porras, Patricia Martín-Casas and Rosa M. Ortiz-Gutiérrez
Children 2024, 11(3), 303; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11030303 - 5 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3298
Abstract
The role of sensory processing in maintaining postural control (PC) among preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains underexplored despite its potential implications for their developmental trajectory. This study aimed to assess the utilization of sensory information for PC maintenance while standing [...] Read more.
The role of sensory processing in maintaining postural control (PC) among preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains underexplored despite its potential implications for their developmental trajectory. This study aimed to assess the utilization of sensory information for PC maintenance while standing in preschool-aged children with ASD and to examine its correlation with PC during functional tasks using a standardized tool. The cross-sectional study recruited 27 children, aged between 3 and 6 years, diagnosed with ASD. Participation indexes for somatosensory, vestibular, visual, and visual preference were computed during a modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (m-CTSIB), based on sagittal plane body sway analyzed via video with Kinovea® software (version 0.9.4). Additionally, scores from the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) were analyzed. Statistical analysis of data derived from lateral malleolus and mastoid process sway using the Friedman test revealed significant differences in the utilization of various sensory systems involved in PC during the m-CTSIB (p < 0.001). There was a pronounced reliance on somatosensory information, coupled with increased instability in the absence or with the variability of visual information. The mean PBS score was 50.44 ± 2.74, exhibiting a significant negative correlation with the vestibular index (p < 0.05). Preschool-aged children with ASD demonstrated challenges in maintaining PC while standing under different sensory conditions, indicating a heightened dependence on somatosensory cues, particularly in the absence or with the variability of visual stimuli. While these challenges were not reflected in PBS scores, they were negatively correlated with the vestibular index. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motor Development in Children)
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10 pages, 250 KiB  
Article
Differences in Motor Development between Preterm Infants and Full-Term Preschool Children
by Alicia Cuesta-Gómez, Pilar Fernández-González, María Carratalá-Tejada and Inmaculada Aguilar-Bejines
Children 2024, 11(2), 252; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11020252 - 16 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2844
Abstract
Although advances in obstetric and neonatal care have improved the survival of preterm infants, many studies document the increased risk of motor and sensory neurodevelopmental abnormalities that can hinder school progress. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in gross [...] Read more.
Although advances in obstetric and neonatal care have improved the survival of preterm infants, many studies document the increased risk of motor and sensory neurodevelopmental abnormalities that can hinder school progress. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in gross and fine motor development in children born preterm and full term aged 3 to 6 years using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales 2 (PDMS-II). Fifteen preterm and fifteen term children, matched for age and sex, participated in this study. They were evaluated with the PDMS-II scale. The scores obtained in the PDMS-II scale showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) in all subscales except for the “grasping” subscale. No dissimilarities were found between children who attended an early intervention program and those who did not participate, nor was there any correlation between week of gestation and birth weight and motor development in preschool. The results obtained show that differences are found with respect to motor development, with lower scores for those born preterm compared to children born at term. No statistically significant difference was found between preterm children who attended early intervention and those who did not. No correlation was found between motor development at preschool age and birth weight and gestational age. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Motor Development in Children)
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