Bruininks Osteretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP)
Category: Evaluative
Update: BOT-2 Complete Form Test Kit = $933.90
*As of March 7, 218*
Article Review:
Venetsanou F, Kambas A. Can motor proficiency in preschool age affect physical activity in adolescence? Pediatric Exercise Science. 2017;29:254-259.
The purpose of this study was to determine if motor proficiency during preschool is associated with physical activity during adolescence. This longitudinal study began by measuring the motor proficiency of 413 children, ages 4-6. Ten years later, the physical activity level of 106 of the original participants was measured. Motor proficiency was measures using the BTOMP-SF, testing both gross and fine motor skills. Some of these skills included single leg stance, tandem walking, running speed and agility, standing broad jump, catching and throwing a ball, drawing activities, and response speed. Upon scoring, participants are then classified as low, below average, average, above average, and high motor proficiencies. Physical activity was measured using Omron HJ-720IT piezoelectric pedometers, counting steps in the horizontal and vertical axes. Participants placed the pedometer on their right hip when they woke up in the morning and didn’t take it off until they went to bed, with the exception of showering or swimming, for 7 consecutive days. In accordance with previous cross-sectional studies, the results of this study found that motor proficiency is in fact associated with in physical activity participation. They also found this association to be stronger for the female than male population. Female participants with average motor proficiency demonstrated significantly lower physical activity levels than those with above average and high motor proficiency. One of the major strengths of this study is the fact that it is a longitudinal study. Whereas previous studies have been cross-sectional, this study compared motor proficiency and physical activity later in life among the same individuals. Another strength is the relatively large sample size. Researchers were able to analyze just over 25% of their original population, which can be difficult given the 10 years span and the pediatric population in general. One of the major limitations of this study is that no participants that were classified as “low” or “below average” motor proficiency at the initial assessment participated in the 10 year follow up. However, this allowed for recognition that females with average motor proficiency, not just those with decreased motor proficiency, may also present with lower levels of physical activity. Some other limitations of this study include the absence of physical activity level data at the preschool age and that motor proficiency, or perceive motor proficiency, was not tested at adolescence. It was also noted that the average steps per day among participants was lower than previous studies and just above the recommended average. Researchers attribute this to the Greek educational system itself, including minimized free time and infrequent physical education. The overall conclusion of this study is that motor proficiency during preschool is associated with physical activity levels later in life, especially in the female population. With physical inactivity on the rise, it is key express the importance of physical activity early on. Preschool age is a vital time for motor development and acquisition of skills. For this reason, we should place emphasis on the development of motor proficiency early in life.
2 responses to “Bruininks Osteretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP)”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Great review of the literature! I found this article really impactful as a future clinician. It provides valuable information on of the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle throughout the lifespan and the positive effect early motor performance and skill acquisition can have on our bodies. I was also very surprised the authors were able to obtain such significant results 10 years after the initial assessment. I agree with you that it would have strengthened the results and the impact of the article had the investigators included physical activity level at preschool and more information about motor performance at adolescence. Future research could include more detailed information regarding physical activity level such as resting heart rate, VO2max, etc. It would also be interesting to see this study continued into young adult age (early to mid 20s) if possible to see how results change between females and males as metabolism begins to slow and growth plateaus. Nevertheless, I do think that this study is a valuable resource and precursor for more thorough research in the future.
Interesting article! I too believe that we need to purse early motor development in the pediatric population and this research article helps reassure that idea. I find it intriguing that the motor proficiency had a stronger association in females rather than males relating to physical activity. I wonder if this is related to the fact that when the reassessment was performed 10 years later, it was because females would have a greater growth/maturity rate than boys? Also, since this study was performed in the Greek educational system, what is their emphasis on early motor development compared to the United States? 60 minutes of exercise is the daily goal for physical activity here in America, but it might be different in Greece which could change the results if the study was reproduced here.