Performance on the movement assessment battery for children: a systematic review about gender differences. [Desempeño en la batería de evaluación del movimiento para niños: una revisión sistemática sobre las diferencias de género].

Abstract

A gender difference has been found in motor competence using several instruments. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) seems to be one of the most developed instruments for children's motor coordination assessment, allowing the identification of developmental coordination disorders. Our study aimed to systematically review the differences in the motor performance between genders in studies using only the MABC. Five databases (Scopus, EBSCO+Sport Discus, Web of Knowledge, B-ON and Pubmed) were systematically investigated and studies were included if the MABC tests was a central objective and gender was a considered factor. Five authors independently assessed the eligibility of the studies. A systematic review of electronic databases and reference lists has identified nineteen peer-reviewed studies that meet the inclusion criteria. Results revealed that gender differences in performance were consistent across studies, since boys had more success and ease in activities involving gross motor skills, and girls did better activities involving fine motor skills. Differences in balance were not conclusive as the results on this parameter were mixed. This systematic review highlights the magnitude of gender differences on motor competence as evaluated by the MABC.

A Ten-Week Motor Skills Training Program Increases Motor Competence in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

“…Concerning children with DCD, Rodrigues et al [ 20 ] systematically analyzed the differences in motor performance between genders in studies that used only the MABC-2 [ 21 ]. Their results revealed that gender differences in performance were consistent across studies, since boys demonstrated more success and ease in activities involving gross motor skills, and girls performed better in the activities involving fine motor skills.…”

A comparative study on fundamental movement skills among children with autism spectrum disorder and typically developing children aged 7–10

“…Furthermore, the study found no gender differences in the MABC-2 assessment for both children with ASD and typically developing children, consistent with earlier findings by Henderson et al (2007) . A recent systematic review by Rodrigues et al (2019) on MABC-2 assessment in typically developing children indicated that approximately 75% of studies showed that boys outperformed girls in gross motor skills such as aiming and catching, while approximately 65% of studies found that girls outperformed boys in fine motor skills such as manual dexterity, with no consensus reached regarding balance skills (static and dynamic balance). However, due to the exclusion of certain age groups (3–16 years) in some studies or the utilization of different versions of the MABC, gender differences may have been underestimated or overestimated.…”

The Effect of One-Session Rhythm Therapy on Mood States in Female and Male Corporate Employees (Efecto de una sesión de terapia de ritmo sobre el estado de ánimo de hombres y mujeres empleados corporativos)

“…The superior ability of women to perform fine tasks of motor coordination (Rodrigues, Ribeiro, Sousa, Lopes, & Barros, 2019) could be presented as a possible explanation to the better response in the variable vigor in women. Better coordination could help to facilitate the actions to be taken during the rhythm therapy session, which could explain the higher satisfaction levels among women.…”