Crosstalk between Gross and Fine Motor Domains during Late Childhood: The Influence of Gross Motor Training on Fine Motor Performances in Primary School Children.

Vincenzo Sorgente,Erez James Cohen,Diego Minciacchi,Riccardo Bravi

doi:10.3390/ijerph182111387

Vincenzo Sorgente, Erez James Cohen + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111387

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Abstract

Gross and fine motor competence have a close relationship during development and are shown to correlate to some extent. However, the study of the interaction between these domains still requires further insights. In this study, we investigated the developmental changes in overall motor skills as well as the effects of gross motor training programs on fine motor skills in children (aged 6–11, n = 240). Fine motor skills were assessed before and after gross motor intervention using the Box and Block Test. The gross motor intervention was based on the Test of Gross Motor Development—3rd Edition. Results showed that gross and fine motor skills correlate across all years of primary school, both significantly improving with age. Finally, the gross motor intervention appeared to not influence fine motor skills. Our findings show that during primary school age, overall motor development is continuous, but non-linear. From age nine onward, there seems to be a major step-up in overall motor competence, of which teachers/educators should be aware of in order to design motor educational programs accordingly. While gross and fine motor domains might be functionally integrated to enhance children’s motor performances, further research is needed to clarify the effect of gross motor practice on fine motor performances.

Highlights

Sabrina DemarieMotor skills refer to the underlying internal pathways responsible for moving the body through space as well as the cognitive processes that give rise to such movements [1].These are classically divided into two categories, namely gross motor skills and fine motor skills [2]
The purpose of the present study was to expand the focus pertaining to motor development during primary school age, at the same time investigating the influence of different short gross motor training on fine motor performance
The study of interactions between gross and fine motor skills is important for identifying novel strategies to enhance motor learning during childhood

Summary

Introduction

Motor skills refer to the underlying internal pathways responsible for moving the body through space as well as the cognitive processes that give rise to such movements [1]. These are classically divided into two categories, namely gross motor skills and fine motor skills [2]. Research has shown that during child development, gross and fine motor competencies appear to have some correlation [9,10,11,12,13,14].

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