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Are boys and girls just different? Gender differences in the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd edition (M ABC-2) suggests that they are
Fairbairn, Natalie Galea, Claire Wallen, Margaret Walker, Karen Hodge, Antoinette Badawi, Nadia Loughran-Fowlds, Alison
Fairbairn, Natalie
Galea, Claire
Wallen, Margaret
Walker, Karen
Hodge, Antoinette
Badawi, Nadia
Loughran-Fowlds, Alison
Abstract
Introduction The second edition of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M ABC‐2) is a standardised, norm referenced assessment that is frequently used by therapists to identify children with motor difficulties. The norms for the M ABC‐2 were derived from a sample of children in the United Kingdom (UK) and are combined across the age groups for boys and girls. The aims of this research were to investigate gender differences in the performance of 8‐ and 9‐year‐old Australian children and if the norms in our cohort differed from UK‐based M ABC‐2 norms. Methods Children aged 8 or 9 years of age who underwent major neonatal cardiac or non‐cardiac surgery and healthy controls were assessed using the M ABC‐2 as part of the Development After Infant Surgery (DAISy) study. Results There were statistically significant differences in the scores for boys and girls aged 8‐ and 9‐years old on the M ABC‐2. Girls performed better than boys in manual dexterity and on total standard scores. Our control group compared to the assessment norms scored significantly poorer in manual dexterity, aiming and catching and total standard scores. Conclusion Caution should be used when interpreting the results of the M ABC‐2 for Australian 8‐ and 9‐year olds. Contemporary Australian, gender‐specific M ABC‐2 norms should be considered. Further research is required to investigate gender differences and differences in performance of Australian children compared to the assessment norms in other age groups on the M ABC‐2.
Keywords
gender, movement, occupational therapy, movement assessment, Motor skill development
Date
2020
Type
Journal article
Journal
Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
Book
Volume
67
Issue
3
Page Range
229-236
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Allied Health
Faculty of Health Sciences
Non-faculty
Faculty of Health Sciences
Non-faculty
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled