Participants and Inclusion Criteria
The sampling method chosen was the selection of extreme cases,
recommended when trying to compare cases or extreme groups (Sampieri,
2018). The initial sample, based on non-probability and convenience
sampling (Battaglia, 2008), included 233 children (120 boys and 113
girls) from 10 natural groups of Early Childhood Education (M age
= 5.03, SD = 1.21) of eight public schools in a Spanish
province.
Once the Movement Assessment Battery for Children was administered, two
groups were considered: group A, 57 children (66.7% boys and 33.3%
girls, M age = 4.96, SD = 0.56) with low MC, i.e., below
the 15th percentile, according to the battery classification system
(Henderson & Sugden, 1992); and group B, 40 children (51.1% boys and
48.9% girls, M age = 5.10, SD = 0.52) with typical
development or high MC group (TD or HMC), those above the 75th
percentile.
Instruments
Assessment of Primary Reflexes. MR, TLR, ATNR and STNR
reflexes were selected due to their major influence on motor development
(Goddard, 2005; McPhillips & Sheehy, 2004). The assessment protocols
described by Goddard (2015) were followed. It was performed using a
five-point scale (Table 1). The lower the score obtained, the higher the
reflex
inhibition.
—————————————-Table
1—————————————–
Every child was individually evaluated according to the protocol of
every reflex measured and under a specialist’s supervision (Master of
Science in Physical Activity and Sport and specialist in Blomberg
Rhythmic Movement Training and Primitive Reflexes).
Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Mabc-2,
Henderson & Sugden, 1992) adapted to Spanish by Ruiz & Graupera-Sanz
(Ruiz & Graupera-Sanz, 2012). It is a standardized,
individually-administered test to assess children with motor
difficulties. It is designed for children aged four to 16, divided into
three age ranges (3–6; 7–10; 11–16 years). The battery consists of
eight subtests divided into three dimensions: manual dexterity, aiming
and catching, and balance. It provides a classification system based on
the scores obtained in every dimension and the age range. Children
scoring below the 5th percentile meet diagnostic criterion A for
Developmental Coordination Disorder (American Psychiatric Association,
2013). Children between the 5th and 15th percentiles (63–69 points) are
at risk of having movement problems, while children above the 15th
percentile (> 69 points) do not present movement
problems.
Ad-hoc parent questionnaire consisted in a dichotomous
question to ask parents whether their children had developed the
crawling pattern (1) or not (0).