The motor proficiency development in gypsy and non-gypsy children: a comparative study

Authors

  • José Francisco Filipe Marmeleira
  • João Paulo Abreu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.683

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate possible influences of ethnicity on motor development. The sample comprised 60 children of both genders with 7, 8 and 9 years of age: 30 gypsy children who attended an elementary school in Moura; 30 non-gypsy children who attended an elementary school in Lisbon. The short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency was used to study and compare the motor development level of the sample groups. We concluded that the non-gypsy children in comparison to the gypsy children, revealed a significant superior results in gross motor performance (p=0,015), fi ne motor performance (p=0,000) and in motor proficiency (p=0,005).

Issue

Section

Original Article