Examined asymmetries in movement behaviors of 36 full-term, newborn infants. The majority of infants had right-biased movement behaviors. Multiple subsystems, rather than a single asymmetric system, appeared to control asymmetric action of different body regions. There were sex differences in asymmetry of distal lower body movement behaviors that…

Part of a larger investigation, "Selected Areas of Development of Twins in Relation to Zygosity, financed in part by a grant from the Florida State University Research Council and by the Institute of Human Development.

Studied head position preference in 20 newborns differing by Cesarean or vaginal delivery and sex. Found that neither factor accounted for differences. The head turned right more often and was maintained longer in this position during quiet wakefulness, regardless of scoring method. When using global scoring, duration of midline position was…

This study investigated whether age, sex, speed, and practice affects the acquisition of coincidence-anticipation (C/A) performance accuracy of children ages seven to twelve. (C/A refers to the ability to make a motor response coincident with the arrival of an object at a designated point.) The subjects used in this study were 84 elementary…

This study evaluated the influence of biological and environmental variables on the differences between the throwing performance of 100 five-year-old girls and boys. Results are analyzed and discussed. (Author/MT)

When equated on level of maturity, preterm infants were indistinguishable from full-term infants in their rates of response decrement to stimulus repetition and their subsequent response to a novel stimulus. Responsiveness to auditory novelty at four months was a strong predictor of 18-month mental performance for females but not for males. (RH)

This study formulated a multivariate model of early infant competence from variables representing a transactional perspective of developing competence in early infancy. The measures used in the competence model were: birth weight; habituation index; personality ratings of the infants' social orientation and task orientation; ratings of maternal…

Data obtained from testing fifth- and sixth-grade students under four conditions comparing the presence or absence of informational and/or motivational cues indicated that the informational component of a model's demonstration is the primary element affecting motor performance. (MJB)

The behaviors and interactions of preschool-aged siblings in object-oriented and body-oriented conditions were observed to discover if the child's siblings significantly influenced motor skill development. This study focused on categories of sibling behaviors and interactions. (Author/DF)

Proposed developmental steps for hopping over distance were tested to determine their comprehensiveness and accuracy. The proposed arm action component required modification, but the leg action was properly ordered. The pattern of sex differences was consistent with earlier research. The non-chosen leg was developmentally behind the chosen leg in…

Nine-year-old boys identified as specific reading retarded and exhibiting general reading backwardness were compared to boys without reading delay. General reading backwardness was associated with a history of long-term cognitive and motor delay and specific reading retarded was only associated with lower verbal IQ and poor speech articulation.…

Third- , fourth-, and fifth-grade children who had participated for one or more years in a coeducational physical fitness program were given the AAHPER Youth Fitness Test in 1977, 1978, and 1979. Females consistently performed as well or better than males at the same grade level. (CJM)

This study investigated the gross motor development of children at two day care centers, one with a movement-oriented physical education program and the other with an unstructured free play period. Also studied were the biological factors of age and sex. A total of 146 children were tested during a 3-year period. During the last two years,…

While substantial physiological differences exist between the average male and female athlete, there is little reason to advocate different training or conditioning programs on the basis of sex. (JD)

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)