Gender differences in academic achievement of children with developmental coordination disorder

Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) has a negative impact on everyday activities and academic achievement in children, mainly owing to similar underlying motor and cognitive constructs. Academic achievement of boys and girls seems to be different, with boys being more prone to academic backlogs, especially in language-related areas. Aim: This study investigated if boys with DCD displayed more academic problems than girls with DCD. Setting: Ten-year-old children (N = 221, ±0.41) from different economic backgrounds were randomly selected for assessment as part of the NW-CHILD (North-West Child Health, Integrated with Learning and Development) longitudinal study in the North West Province of South Africa. Methods: The Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition, was used to determine DCD status in the group. The results of the Annual National Assessment and the mid-year June exam, which included six learning areas, were used to analyse academic differences between typically developing boys and girls and those who were identified with DCD (seven boys, seven girls). Independent t-testing and Mann–Whitney non-parametric tests were used to determine differences between boys and girls. Results: Boys with DCD had inferior literacy and numeracy skills, significantly poorer manual dexterity and balancing skills and also displayed statistically and large practically significant weaker mid-year grade point averages than girls. Children with DCD also portrayed poorer academic achievement than typically developing children. Conclusion: Significant differences in balancing skills and in languages between boys and girls with DCD might have contributed to the practically significant poorer maths performance of boys

Fisieke fiksheid, fisieke aktiwiteit en fisieke aktiwiteitspatrone van plaaswerkerkinders: flagh-studie

The aim of this study was to analyse the physical activity patterns, physical activity levels and physical fitness of 4- to 16-year-old children (37 children; 19 girls and 18 boys) of farm workers, living on a farm in the North-West Province and attending the farm school. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by a Tukey-post hoc-test, t-testing and the SAS-statisical program were used to analyse the data. With reference to physical fitness, their performance in the modified sitand- reach, handgrip (left and right), pull-ups, bent armhang, standing long jump and the bleep tests (Wood, 1997; Docherty, 1996; Brewer et al., 1988) were determined. The 9 to 16-year-old group also completed a physical activity recall (PDPAR0 questionnaire (Trost et al., 1999) to determine their physical activity levels and patterns. Body size and body composition were analysed by means of anthropometric variables (height, mass, BMI and sub scapular and triceps skinfolds). From the results it seems that the farm environment where the children grew up does have an influence on their physical activity, indicating a reasonably high (a moderate physical activity classification) in the 9 to 16-year-old group. The analysis of their physical activity patterns indicated that this activity levels could largely be ascribed to walking, daily chores, work tasks they have to perform on the farm, games they play and few TV viewing hours. With regard to the relationship between physical activity and physical fitness, no significant relationships were found. However, low fat percentages and BMI values were found, which may have affected their physical fitness. Keywords: physical fitness, physical activity, children, farm worker, sosio-economic status South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation Vol. 27(1) 2005: 101-11

Die effek van 'n motoriese intervensieprogram gebaseer op 'n geïntegreerde benadering vir 5- tot 8-jarige plaaswerkerkinders met DCD: Flagh-studie

The aim of this study was to determine whether a motoric intervention programme based on the integration of different intervention methods can improve abilities associated with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) among young school children. From 55 children (5- to 8-years of age) living on farms and attending farm schools in this region, a group of learners from one school were randomly divided into an intervention group (n=11) and a control group (n=13) after having been diagnosed with DCD by means of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children. A second control group (n=13) was selected from another farm school in the same region. The Test of Gross Motor Development-2 was used to determine the quality of fundamental movement skills in the group. A test-retest research design was applied. An eight-week intervention programme, of 45 minutes, was presented twice a week, based on perceptual motor, sensory integration and task specific components and conducted by means of an integrative approach. The results, analysed by means of Statictica for Windows, showed that the programme improved balance, gallop, striking and underarm rolling while the overall performance quality of fundamenal motor skills also improved significantly in the intervention group. Although the task specific method contributed to the best improvement, alternation to the different methods is recommended for success. A more individualistic approach, a longer duration of the programme and less goals to address in one lesson are recommended to improve the programme. South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation Vol. 28(1) 2006: 69-8

Competency in Object Control Skills at an Early Age Benefit Future Movement Application: Longitudinal Data from the NW-CHILD Study

The level of competency in object control skills (OCSs) during early childhood is considered to be a possible determinant of the successful generalization of these skills during later childhood. This study aimed to determine if an association exists between competency in object control skills during early childhood (6–9 years) and the application of these skills during later childhood (12 years). The NW-CHILD longitudinal study (2010–2016), included a baseline and two time-point follow-up measures in grades 1, 4, and 7 of South African children. A total of 374 participants (boys = 178, 47.59% and girls = 196, 52.41%) completed testing at all three time-points and were analyzed. The Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition, and the Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment were used to determine associations between object control skill competency during early and later childhood by using descriptive statistics, Spearman rank order correlations, and stepwise regression analysis. The level of object control skill competency at 6 and 9 years, significantly influences the application of these skills at 12 years. A high overall and significant contribution of OCS (4.6%, p < 0.01) to the variance in the skills and time scores at 12 years; p < 0.05 were found. Competence in object control skills at an early age can provide a baseline from where opportunities for progression or transfer of skills can result in more advanced skillful executions which consequently can be considered to be a cornerstone of improved future physical activity and healthier lifestyles

The effect of a physical activity, diet and behaviour modification intervention on the self-perception of 9 to 12 year old overweight and obese children

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine whether a physical activity, diet and behaviour modification intervention would significantly improve the self-perception of 9 to 12 year old overweight and obese children. A convenience sample of 38 subjects between the ages of 9 and 12 years (mean age = 11.0) participated in the study. Twenty children (N = 20), 13 girls and 7 boys, participated in the intervention programme for 13 week (3 times/week), while 18 children (N = 18), 11 girls and 7 boys, served as a control group. Kinanthropometric measurements were used to assess body composition and self-perception was determined by using the Harter Scale for Self-Perception. The results showed low self-perception values compared to normal children, although the self-perception of overweight and obese children did not differ from each other. There was a significant increase in all subcomponents of self-perception in the experimental group, with the largest improvement in athletic, physical and global self-perception (p < 0.05). In contrast, the control group exhibited lower values in all the subcomponents with a significant decrease in social self-perception (p < 0.05). Waist and upper arm circumferences, as well as fat percentages of the experimental group decreased significantly, while the measurements of the same components in the control group increased. The multidisciplinary intervention programme not only possesses weight loss advantages for overweight and obese children, but has the advantage of improving self-perception. Participation in the programme also showed positive effects on the self-perception of both sexes, although the effect in the various subcomponents appears to be different

The influence of development coordination disorder (DCD) on the self-concept and anxiety of 7-9 year-old children

Literature indicates that children who experience motor problems may have a lower self-concept (Skinner & Piek, 2001) as well as higher anxiety (Rose et al., 1999) than children without movement problems. The aim of this study was to determine whether Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) has an influence on 7-9 year old children's self-concept and anxiety and to determine whether the extent of their motor problems will influence their self-concept and anxiety differently. Teachers identified 201 potential DCD candidates. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Henderson & Sugden, 1992) identified 66 with DCD (41 boys and 25 girls). Self-concept and anxiety were determined by the Tennessee Self- Concept Scale (Child Form) (Fitts & Warren, 1996) and Child Anxiety Scale (Gillis, 1980) respectively. A correlation matrix as well as independent t-tests were conducted in analyzing the results. Correlational analysis indicates relationships between motor proficiency, anxiety and self- concept. Children with moderate and severe DCD have normal anxiety but a non-significantly lower self-concept score than what is indicated as the normal range. Children with severe and moderate DCD do not, however, differ statistically significantly from one another with regard to anxiety and self-concept. Girls with severe DCD have a moderately significantly lower moral self- concept (p=0.09) than girls with moderate DCD. The results show that the self-concept of children between 7 and 9 years of age are negatively influenced by DCD. However, the severity of their motor problems does not influence their self- concept and anxiety differently, although a tendency of this was found among the girls, especially with regard to their moral self-concept. Keywords: self-concept, children, DCD African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance Vol. 12 (3) 2006: 310-32