title: A review of five tests to identify motor coordination difficulties in young adults.
abstract: Difficulties with low motor competence in childhood and adolescence, such as that seen in Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), often persist into adulthood. Identification of DCD at all ages is particularly challenging and problematic because of the diversity of motor symptoms. Many tests of motor proficiency and impairment have been developed for children up to 12 years of age. Whilst identification of DCD is important during childhood, it is of equal importance to identify and monitor the impact of this impairment as an individual grows and develops. Currently there is no test specifically designed to support diagnosis and monitor change in the age range 16-30 years. In this article we review five tests that have been used to assess motor competence among young adults (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-2, McCarron Assessment of Neuromuscular Development, Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2, Tufts Assessment of Motor Performance and the Zurich Neuromotor Assessment). Key issues relevant to testing motor skills in older populations, such as the inclusion of age appropriate skills, are explored. While the BOT-2 provided the most evidence for valid and reliable measurement of Criterion A of the diagnostic criteria for DCD among this age group, no test adequately evaluated Criterion B. Further evaluation of motor skill assessment among the young adult population is needed.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health Research, University of Notre Dame Australia, Australia. Electronic address: beth.hands@nd.edu.au.
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hands
authors.affiliation: School of Sport Science, Exercise & Health, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley 6009, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: melissa.licari@uwa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Licari
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology & Speech Pathology, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth 6845, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: J.Piek@curtin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Piek
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescents; Adults; Developmental Coordination Disorder; Motor competence; Motor development; Motor proficiency