Associations between gross Motor Coordination and Academic Achievement in elementary school children

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Lopes, L (Author) Other; Santos, R (Author) Other; Pereira, B (Author) Other; Lopes, VP (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Human Movement Science

Vol. 32 No. 6

Pages: 9-20

ISSN: 0167-9457

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 49 Citations

Scopus - 69 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-005-31C

DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2012.05.005

Abstract (EN): We aimed to evaluate the relationship between gross motor coordination (MC) and academic achievement (AA) in a sample of Portuguese children aged 9-12 years. The study took place during the 2009/2010 school year and involved 596 urban children (281 girls) from the north of Portugal. AA was assessed using the Portuguese Language and Mathematics National Exams. Gross MC was evaluated with the Korperkoordination Test fur Kinder. Cardiorespiratory fitness was predicted by a maximal multistage 20-m shuttle-run test of the Fitnessgram Test Battery. Body weight and height were measured following standard procedures. Socio-economic status was based on annual family income. Logistic Regression was used to analyze the association of gross MC with AA. 51.6% of the sample exhibited MC disorders or MC insufficiency and none of the participants showed very good MC. In both genders, children with insufficient MC or MC disorders exhibited a higher probability of having low AA, compared with those with normal or good MC (p<.05 for trend for both) after adjusting for cardiorespiratory fitness, body mass index and socio-economic status.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12