title: Interlimb coordination and academic performance in elementary school children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The specific mechanisms linking motor ability and cognitive performance, especially academic achievement, are still unclear. Whereas the literature provides an abundance of information on fine and visual-motor skill and cognitive attributes, much less has been reported on gross motor ability. This study examined interlimb coordination and its relationship to academic performance in children aged 8-11 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Motor and academic skills were examined in 100 Brazilian children using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and the Academic Performance Test. Participants were grouped into low (<25%) and high (>75%) academic achievers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant difference between groups for Total Motor Composite (P < 0.001) favoring the high group. On regression analysis there was a significant association between academic performance and Body Coordination. Of the subtests of Body Coordination (Bilateral Coordination and Balance), Bilateral Coordination accounted for the highest impact on academic performance. Of interest here, that subtest consists primarily of gross motor tasks involving interlimb coordination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall, there was a positive relationship between motor behavior, in particular activities involving interlimb coordination, and academic performance. Application of these findings in the area of early assessment may be useful in the identification of later academic problems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, State University of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sheila Cristina
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: da Silva Pacheco
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gabbard
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, State University of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lilian Gerdi Kittel
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Ries
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, State University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. tgbobbio@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tatiana Godoy
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Bobbio
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012574:Schools
keywords: academic performance; gross motor ability; interlimb coordination