Developmental Patterns of Two Motor Functions

Abstract

SUMMARY Two motor functions—finger‐to‐thumb apposition and rapid alternating supination and pronation of the forearms—have a definite developmental pattern in children between the ages of 4 and 8 years. Using a standardised method of administration and scoring, a range of normal functions has been established for each of these maneuvers. There is increasing proficiency in the ability to supinate and pronate the forearm and to appose finger to thumb with increasing chronological age, with full development of the former function by 7 years, and of the latter function after 8 years of age. RÉSUMÉ Schéma de développement de deux fonctions motrices Deux fonctions motrices, opposition pouce‐index et la diadococinésie de l'avant‐bras présentent un schéma de développement précis chez les enfants de 4 à 8 ans. Grâce à une méthode standardisée d'administration et de notation, une distribution de la fonction normale a été établie pour chaque manoeuvre. On note une efficacité croissante de la diadococinésie de l'avant‐bras et de l'opposition pouce‐index en fonction de l'âge chronologique avec contrôle complet de la première fonction vers 7 ans et de la seconde après 8 ans. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Entwicklungsmuster von zwei Motorfunktionen Zwei Motorfunktionen: Finger‐Daumen Apposition und Diadochokinese, haben bei Kindern im Alter von 4 bis 8 Jahren ein eindeutiges Entwicklungsmuster. Mit einer in der Anwendung und Beurteilung standardisierten Methode wurde für jede Bewegung ein funktioneller Normbereich festgesetzt. Man fand mit zunehmendem Alter eine bessere Durchführung der Diadochokinese und der Finger‐Daumen Apposition, die Diadochokinese war im Alter von 7 Jahren, die Finger‐Daumen Apposition nach dem vollendeten 8 Lebensjahr voll entwickelt. RESUMEN Patrones de desarrollo de dos funciones motoras Dos funciones motoras (oposición pulgar‐dedos y alternancia rápida de supinación y pronación del antebrazo) tienen un patrón de desarrollo definido en niños de 4 a 8 años. Utilizando un método standardizado de administración y puntaje, se ha establecido un margen de funciones normales para cada movimiento. La habilidad para supinar y pronar los antebrazos y oponer el pulgar a los dedos aumenta con la edad cronológica, con un desarrollo completo de la primera función a los 7 años y de la última después de los 8.

Ayres' Clinical Observations: Performance of Four and Five Year Old Children

“…Sex diffferences have been reported by some researchers (Denckla, 1973, 1974) for finger-thumb touching, with girls performing faster than boys at all ages. The results of the present study and the results of Grant et al's (1973) study however revealed no significant sex differences for this item.…”

“…Grant et a1 (1973) have reported that there is a rapid progression in the skilled performance of finger-thumb touching and diadokokinesia from four to eight years. The results of a study by these authors (Grant et al, 1973) suggested that a plateauing effect occurs from five to six years, and full maturation of the skill occurs after eight years for finger-thumb touching and seven years for diadokokinesia. Many of the four year old children in the present study had difficulty completing the coordination tasks, whereas the five year old children had few difficulties.…”

“…By comparing a child's performance with those of the same age, "normal" and "abnormal" performances can be more accurately assessed without the possibility of abnormal signs Mean age 4 years 2 months 5 years 4 months being confounded with maturational lags (Grant et al, 1973;Denhoff et al, 1968). By comparing a child's performance with those of the same age, "normal" and "abnormal" performances can be more accurately assessed without the possibility of abnormal signs Mean age 4 years 2 months 5 years 4 months being confounded with maturational lags (Grant et al, 1973;Denhoff et al, 1968).…”

“…Setting normative data for neurological functions in school-age children is necessary before a valid assessment of a child's performance can be made. By comparing a child's performance with those of the same age, "normal" and "abnormal" performances can be more accurately assessed without the possibility of abnormal signs Mean age 4 years 2 months 5 years 4 months being confounded with maturational lags (Grant et al, 1973;Denhoff et al, 1968).…”