Assessment of Motor Ability of Selected Deaf Children in Kansas

Abstract

48 residential students a t the Kansas State School for the Deaf wete given the Brace Motor Ability Test. Sex had liale influence o n the levels of performance, while age below 7 yr. yielded significantly lower performance. The extent of hearing loss did not influence the performance.In recent years increasing effort has been made to gather information related to physical and/or mental handicaps. Initial effort to examine physical performance capacities has been made in the areas of mental retardation (6, 12) and perceptual-motor abilities (7, S ) , especially for visually impaired persons ( 3 ) .T o date, though, little information is available on motor ability of deaf individuals, particularly children in the lower elementary grades.Examination of motor capacities of the deaf was initially recorded about 1730. Paterson ( 4 ) found that deaf children were approximately 2 or 3 yr. behind hearing children in their ability to exhibit rapid movements, motor control, spatial adjustments, and eye-hand coordination. Long (9) compared the deaf and hearing on several eye-hand coordination tasks, grip strength, and balance.Balance was the only test that differentiated the two groups. Within the children tested, Long recorded that the deaf boys did better than the deaf girls.After an extended period of time in which little smdy was devoted to this topic, Boyd ( I ) , on the Oseretsky test, compared deaf and hearing boys for static equilibrium, general dynamic balance, psychomotor integration, and laterality. Ac every age, the hearing children did better on static equilibrium. O n dynamic balance, the 8-yr.-old children performed similarly, but the 9and 10-yr.old hearing children did better. N o difference was found on speed of motor functioning. T o date, little information is available on the ability of the deaf to control gross body manipulation in stunts. Lack of data is even more apparent for deaf children between the ages of 5 and 10 years. This study was designed, therefore, to assess the gross motor abilicy of selected primary school-aged deaf children. Of secondary importance were the gross effects of age, sex, and residual hearing o n the performance of these children.

Development of an Exercise Program to Improve the Static and Dynamic Balance of Profoundly Hearing-Impaired Children

“…In separate studies, Long (1932), Carlson (1972), and Myklebust (1946) found that hearing-impaired boys have significantly better balance than hearing-impaired girls. In a later study, Lindsey and O'Neal (1976) found no significant difference between the balance of hearing-impaired girls and that of hearing-impaired boys.…”

“…Hearing-impaired children with hypoactive vestibular labyrinths often experience delays in reaching motor milestones (Kaga et al, 1980;Rapin, 1974). Carlson (1972) found decreased balance abilities in 5 and 6-year-old hearing-impaired children as compared to those of 7 and 10-year-old hearing-impaired children. As hearing-impaired children mature, they learn to compensate partially for vestibular damage through the refinement of the visual, proprioceptive, and kinesthetic senses (Broer, 1973;Kaga et al, 1980;Myklebust, 1953Myklebust, , 1960Padden, 1959).…”

The Effect of a Traditional Dance Training Program on the Physical Fitness of Adults with Hearing Loss

“…A number of studies (1,4,16,25) supported that physical fitness level depends on the degree of hearing, whereas other researchers (6,15) pointed out that lack of hearing is not accountable for the lower levels of aerobic capacity of individuals with hearing loss compared to individuals without hearing problems; hence, an adapted exercise program could probably improve these levels.…”

Age-related changes of single-limb standing balance in children with and without deafness

“…These findings suggest that postural development in PD children is delayed progressively. In addition, other studies have shown that delayed postural development in children with hearing impairment persists but does not worsen (Brunt, and Broadhead 1982;Carlson 1972;Siegel, Marchetti, and Tecklin 1991). Carlson (1972) assessed PD children aged 5-10 years using the Brace Motor Ability Test, and found that the motor development of these children adaptively improved up to 7 years of age and then plateaued.…”

“…In addition, other studies have shown that delayed postural development in children with hearing impairment persists but does not worsen (Brunt, and Broadhead 1982;Carlson 1972;Siegel, Marchetti, and Tecklin 1991). Carlson (1972) assessed PD children aged 5-10 years using the Brace Motor Ability Test, and found that the motor development of these children adaptively improved up to 7 years of age and then plateaued. In addition, Siegel et al (1991) examined children with hearing loss in three different age groups (4.5-6.5 years, 8-10 years, and 12.5-14.5 years) using the balance subtest of the BOTMP in order to determine age-related changes in balance ability.…”