title: Independent and Combined Effects of Sex and Biological Maturation on Motor Coordination and Performance in Prepubertal Children.
abstract: Sex differences and maturation-associated variation in fitness and motor coordination were examined in children aged 8-9 years (n = 128, 67 girls). Assessments included stature and body mass, two-component body composition, percentage of predicted adult stature (as an index of biological maturation), and motor performance and coordination (Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder). Compared to girls, boys were less advanced in maturation status, possessed larger fat mass, demonstrated superior performances in six tests of fitness, and obtained one superior score on the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder. After controlling for somatic maturation, sex differences persisted in the two multivariate domains: motor performance and motor coordination.
authors.affiliation: LACAPS, Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Leonardo G O
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Luz
authors.affiliation: School for Health, University of Bath, UK.
authors.forename: Sean P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Cumming
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: João P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valente-Dos-Santos
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Maria J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Aristides
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Machado-Rodrigues
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Padez
authors.affiliation: LACAPS, Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil.
authors.forename: Bruno Cleiton M
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Carmo
authors.affiliation: Early Start Research Institute, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Australia; CIAFEL, University of Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Rute
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.affiliation: CIAFEL, University of Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seabra
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra, Portugal mjcesilva@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Manuel J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Coelho-E-Silva
mesh_terms: D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: KTK battery; childhood; coordination; motor development