Martin Musálek

Motor skills in Czech children with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder and their neurotypical counterparts

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed neurobehavioural disorder. Characterized by recurring problems with impulsiveness and inattention in combination with hyperactivity, motor impairments have also been well documented in the literature. The aim of this study was to compare the fine and gross motor skills of male and female children with ADHD and their neurotypical counterparts within seven skill assessments. This included three fine motor tasks: (1) spiral tracing, (2) dot filling, (3) tweezers and beads; and four gross motor tasks: (1) twistbox, (2) foot tapping, (3) small plate finger tapping, and (4) large plate finger tapping. It was hypothesized that children with ADHD would display poorer motor skills in comparison to neurotypical controls in both fine and gross motor assessments. However, statistically significant differences between the groups only emerged in four of the seven tasks (spiral tracing, dot filling, tweezers and beads and foot tapping). In line with previous findings, the complexity underlying upper limb tasks solidified the divide in performance between children with ADHD and their neurotypical counterparts. In light of similar research, impairments in lower limb motor skill were also observed. Future research is required to further delineate trends in motor difficulties in ADHD, while further investigating the underlying mechanisms of impairment.

Are sex differences in fundamental motor skills uniform throughout the entire preschool period

The aim of this study was to assess differences in fundamental motor skills (FMS) proficiency between boys and girls of each age group, independently, across the entire preschool period. Using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children–second edition, FMS proficiency was tested in 325 preschoolers (4.9 ± 1.1 y, range 3–6) using a cross-sectional design. Compared to boys of the same age, 3- and 4-year-old girls had greater total (p < .01), fine motor skill (p < .01), and balance scores (p < .05). There were no sex differences for total test or balance scores in 5- and 6-year-olds, but 6-year-old boys outperformed girls in aiming and catching (p < .001). These data not only agree with previous research in that sex differences in FMS proficiency exist in preschool children, but the data also show that differences may not be uniform throughout the whole preschool period when analyzing by age. To avoid under- or overestimating FMS proficiency and subsequently prescribing inaccurate motor intervention programs, FMS proficiency normative values should be age- and sex-specific throughout the entire preschool period.

Assessment of diagnostics tools for sarcopenia severity using the item response theory (IRT)

ObjectiveTo use the item response theory (IRT) methods to examine the degree to which the four selected tools reflect sarcopenia and to arrange them according to their ability to estimate sarcopenia severity.DesignA cross-sectional study aimed at verifying the possibilities of using diagnostic tools for sarcopenia.Setting and ParticipantsThe study included residents living in an assisted living unit at the Senior Centre in Blansko (South Moravia, Czech Republic) (n=77). Sarcopenia was estimated according to the proposals of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) using calf circumference, the EWGSOP algorithm, hand grip strength, and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB).ResultsThe results from the IRT model showed that these four methods indicate strong unidimensionality so that they measure the same latent variable. The methods ranked according to the discrimination level ranging from high to low discrimination where the calf circumference was the most discriminatory (Hi = 0.86) and the SPPB together with hand grip strength were the least discriminatory (both Hi = 0.44).ConclusionWe are recommending to identify mild sarcopenia by SPPB or hand grip strength, moderate sarcopenia by the EWGSOP algorithm and severe sarcopenia by the calf circumference.

The Link Between Cerebellar Dominance and Skilled Hand Performance in 8–10-Year-Old Right-Handed Children

ABSTRACT Although literature surrounding handedness and cerebellar asymmetry is limited, many researchers have suggested that a relationship exists (e.g., A. A. Beaton, 2003; L. Jäncke, K. Specht, S. Mirzazade, & M. Peters, 1999; I. C. McManus & K. M. Cornish, 1997; M. Peters, 1995; P. J. Snyder, R. M. Bilder, H. Wu, B. Bogerts, & J. A. Lieberman, 1995). For example, J. Tichy and J. Belacek (2008, 2009) identified a link between cerebellar dominance and hand preference. The authors aimed to assess the relationship between cerebellar dominance and handedness, in 8–10-year-olds (N = 157 right-handers) as assessed with hand performance tests. Articular joint passivity in the wrist and performance differences between the hands were used as a means of assessing cerebellar dominance, where a link to skilled hand performance tests was revealed. Specifically, significant correlations between articular joint passivity and all measurements of handedness (p < .001) were observed. Greater hypotonia was seen in the left wrist of 95% of right-handers. This result supports the assumption that the preferred and nonpreferred hand could be controlled by the cerebellum in a different ways.

Skilled performance tests and their use in diagnosing handedness and footedness at children of lower school age 8–10

Previous research has shown that hand and foot preferences do not develop in parallel in children and it has been discovered that in children foot preference stabilizes later. Therefore, the aim of this study is to verify whether the differences in stabilization will also be manifested through less consistent results of selected skilled foot performance tests in a comparison with selected skilled hand performance tests. A total of 210 8–10 year old children from elementary schools were recruited for this study. Hand and foot preferences were first tested using hand and foot preference observable measure tasks; consequently, all participants performed four skilled hand performance tests and three foot performance tests. Unlike in complex skilled hand performance tests, which showed a significant convergent validity 0.56–0.89 with hand preference tasks, in complex skilled foot performance tests a very low convergent validity 0.25–0.46 with foot preference tasks was detected. The only skilled foot performance indicator which showed an acceptable convergent validity with foot preference tasks was the “foot tapping” test 0.65–0.85, which represents rather a gross motor activity. Moreover, further results of the tests suggest that complex or fine motor performance tests used for diagnosing laterality of the lower limb that have a manipulative character probably do not represent suitable indicators for children in the given age category. The same trend was revealed in both females and males. This indicates that the level of laterality assessed as difference in skilfulness between the preferred and the non-preferred limb in children in the given age group probably develops in the same way in both genders.

Hip extension strength: Description and validity of a new procedure applied to older women

OBJECTIVE: We sought to: 1) describe a new procedure for measuring hip extension strength and 2) examine the convergent and known-groups validity of measurements obtained using the procedure. METHOD: Forty women (72–98 years) volunteered for this cross-sectional, observational study of muscle strength and mobility. Hip extension strength as well as hip flexion and knee extension and flexion strengths were measured using a hand-held dynamometer (HHD). Hip extension strength was measured while participants were supine and the HHD was positioned under their slightly elevated distal leg. Participants were dichotomized as independent or dependent in sit-to-stand and walking. RESULTS: Hip extension strength was measured without difficulty or untoward effects. Relative to other ipsilateral measures of hip and knee strength, hip extension strength was found to correlate significantly (r = 0.345–0.584), to be internally consistent (alpha = 0.785 and 0.751), and to load strongly (0.733 and 0.705) on a common construct-lower limb strength. Hip extension strength (left+ right/body weight) discriminated (albeit weakly) between known groups, that is, participants who were dependent versus independent in sit-to-stand and walking. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings we recommend this procedure for measuring hip extension strength in older adults.

Impact of normal weight obesity on fundamental motor skills in pre-school children aged 3 to 6 years

ABSTRACT Normal weight obesity is defined as having excessive body fat, but normal BMI. Even though previous research revealed that excessive body fat in children inhibited their physical activity and decreased motor performance, there has been only little evidence about motor performance of normal weight obese children. This study aims to establish whether normal weight obese pre-school children aged 3-6 years will have a significantly worse level of fundamental motor skills compared to normal weight non-obese counterparts. The research sample consisted of 152 pre-schoolers selected from a specific district of Prague, the Czech Republic. According to values from four skinfolds: triceps, subscapula, suprailiaca, calf, and BMI three categories of children aged 3-6 years were determined: A) normal weight obese n = 51; B) normal weight non-obese n = 52; C) overweight and obese n = 49. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2) was used for the assessment of fundamental motor skills. Normal weight obese children had significantly higher amount of adipose tissue p < 0.001 than normal weight non-obese children but the same average BMI. Moreover, normal weight obese children did not have significantly less amount of subcutaneous fat on triceps and calf compared to their overweight and obese peers. In majority of MABC-2 tests, normal weight obese pre-schoolers showed the poorest performance. Moreover, normal weight obese children had significantly worse total standard score = 38.82 compared to normal weight non-obese peers = 52.27; p < 0.05. In addition, normal weight obese children had a more than three times higher frequency OR = 3.69 CI95% (1.10; 12.35) of severe motor deficit performance ≤ 5th centile of the MABC-2 norm. These findings are strongly alarming since indices like BMI are not able to identify normal weight obese individual. We recommend verifying real portion of normal weight obese children as they are probably in higher risk of health and motor problems than overweight and obese population due to their low lean mass.

Socioeconomic situation and growth in infants and juveniles

ABSTRACT Background: Physical growth of children and adolescents depends on the interaction of genetic and environmental factors e.g. diet and living conditions. Aim: We aim to discuss the influence of socioeconomic situation, using income inequality and GDP per capita as indicators, on body height, body weight and the variability of height and weight in infants and juveniles. Material and methods: We re-analyzed data from 439 growth studies on height and weight published during the last 35 years. We added year- and country-matched GDP per capita (in current US

Association between clinical measures of sarcopenia in a sample of community-dwelling women

) and the Gini coefficient for each study. The data were divided into two age groups: infants (age 2) and juveniles (age 7). We used Pearson correlation and principal component analysis to investigate the data. Results: Gini coefficient negatively correlated with body height and body weight in infants and juveniles. GDP per capita showed a positive correlation with height and weight in both age groups. In infants the standard deviation of height increases with increasing Gini coefficient. The opposite is true for juveniles. A correlation of weight variability and socioeconomic indicators is absent in infants. In juveniles the variability of weight increases with declining Gini coefficient and increasing logGDP per capita. Discussion: Poverty and income inequality are generally associated with poor growth in height and weight. The analysis of the within-population height and weight variations however, shows that the associations between wealth, income, and anthropometric parameters are very complex and cannot be explained by common wisdom. They point towards an independent regulation of height and weight.

Meeting Report: Growth and Social Environment. Proceedings of the 25th Aschauer Soiree, held at Krobielowice, Poland, November 18th 2017

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is defined as a loss of muscle mass and strength as well as a reduction in physical performance with aging. This study was undertaken to examine the association between specific measures of muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical performance in older women. METHODS: Sixty-nine community-dwelling women with an average age of 66 years (range 60–79) participated in this study. Their muscle mass was described using bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA), their muscle strength was characterized using hand-grip dynamometry (HGD) and their physical performance was denoted using gait speed. Associations between the measures were examined using Pearson correlations and factor analysis. RESULTS: The correlation between muscle mass and muscle strength was strong and significant (p < 0.001), whereas the correlation between both variables and gait speed was poor and not significant. The factor analysis showed that gait speed (loading = −0.235) was not part of the same component as muscle mass and grip strength. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle mass and muscle strength were very closely linked with one another but not with gait speed. Muscle mass and strength represent a different component of sarcopenia than physical performance, at least as represented by gait speed.