Presents information on prenatal brain development, detailing the functions controlled by the medulla, pons, and midbrain, and the implications for cognitive development. Concludes that fetal cognitive motor activity, including auditory discrimination, orienting, the wake-sleep cycle, fetal heart rate accelerations, and defensive reactions,…

The results of this survey support the position that universities and colleges are developing an emphasis on motor development programs. (LH)

The article discusses stimulating motor development as it relates to learning difficulties with reference to the work of Dutch neurologist P. Mesker. It is concluded that disturbance in sensorimotor development is the most important cause of learning difficulties in the first years of elementary school. (SBH)

Research studies have indicated that the deaf are inferior to the hearing in motor ability, including the components of static and dynamic balance performance. Also, the deaf can improve their motor performance. In addition to a well-rounded physical education program, a program of gymnastics can meet the special needs of students with balance,…

Simple observation of dance movement, while very useful, can lead to misconceptions, about the physical realities of dance movement, that make learning difficult. This gap between reality and understanding can be reduced by the application of biomechanical techniques such as cinematography, electromyography, and force-plate analysis. Biomechanical…

The state of the art in physical fitness training for mentally retarded (MR) persons is analyzed. Research topics covered included fitness level of MR persons, relationships of fitness to other variables, strategies for improving fitness, evaluation techniques and curriculum programs, skill sequences, fitness training preference evaluation,…

The variety of hand grips of 12 children, most of whom were moderately or severely retarded, were classified in order to begin an analysis of hand function. Test reliability was not as great when items were presented to the children as compared to when children were observed or rated by videotape. (FG)

Major research issues in the area of motor programing are described along with current thinking from centralists and peripheralists concerning the central control of action in various theories of motor program structures. (CJ)

Reviews literature concerning Down Syndrome, visual impairment, and cerebral palsy in children. Emphasizes the continued need for advances in intervention strategies and technology and the more general need for methodological rigor in research. (RJC)

By applying the principles and methods of mechanics to the musculoskeletal system, new insights can be discovered about control of human limb dynamics in both adults and infants. Reviews previous research on how infants gain control of their limbs and learn to reach in the first year of life. (MDM)

Analyzes training procedures designed to address specific phonological deficits in six- to eight-year old disabled readers (N=24). Children were taught to connect printed letter clusters with underlying oral-motor activity. Posttest results reveal that all children were successful in segments representing trained reading rules, but disabled and…

A major problem of physical education programs is the assessment of outcomes. Research makes it clear that physical education programs can affect motor performance positively. Outcomes regarding motor performance, metabolic performance, psychosocial factors, body structure, and cognitive/academic development are reviewed. (MT)

The development of ontogenetic movements--complex, learned skills such as throwing--is greatly influenced by socialization experiences provided by parents. Girls, as well as boys, should be given the opportunity to learn and develop these skills during preschool years. (PP)

This article describes the Harris Infant Neuromotor Test (HINT) and reviews investigations into its reliability and validity, normative data, and the sensitivity and specificity of parental opinions of their infants' movement and motor development. It concludes that the HINT is a quick, noninvasive screening tool with potential for the early…

Argues that motor and cognitive development may be fundamentally interrelated. Summarizes evidence of close co-activation of the neocerebellum and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in functional neuroimaging, similarities in the cognitive sequelae of damage to dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the neocerebellum, motor deficits in…