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Biomedical subjects

C Gabbard

Publications and source records attributed to C Gabbard.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Lower-limb speed and foot preference in children.

Foot preference and performance characteristics of gross-motor lower-limb speed of tapping were examined in 606 4- to 6-yr.-olds. Analysis indicated no effect for gender; however, speed of foot tapping increased significantly across the three ages, suggesting an association with selected developmental (neuromuscular) processes. Contrary to earlier reports on handedness, there was no statistical evidence that mixed- or left-footers were at a performance disadvantage compared to right-footers. All groups performed best with the right foot, limb differentiation (right versus left) being significant for the right- and mixed-footed groups. Speculation about maturational and environmental influences is given.

Child↗
PubMed1995

Limb laterality and motor proficiency in children.

This investigation examined the premise derived from recent reports, that children who are consistent right-handers are better coordinated than their left- and mixed-sided (inconsistent) peers. The observation of limb laterality was extended to include footedness. Two samples of children (N = 273) (foot laterality/hand laterality), matched for age and sex, were assessed for motor proficiency and compared according to limb preference (right, mixed, left). Overall, results indicated no significant group differences (ps > .05) in composite scores (upper-limb, lower-limb, combination) and total performance, within foot and hand laterality. In view of recent studies (noting differences between laterality groups) and these nonsupportive results, it appears that additional inquiry is warranted before any consensus regarding the association between limb laterality and motor coordination can be established. Suggestions for further inquiry are presented.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1993

Hand preference consistency and fine motor performance in young children.

Recent investigations suggest that children who establish handedness early are better coordinated than those who lack this characteristic. To test this assumption, 160 4- to 6-year-olds were classified by consistent (established) and inconsistent (mixed) hand preference behavior and tested for fine motor performance using a finger tapping task. Analysis of the data revealed no significant differences existed between groups in finger tapping performance in relation to total sample, age or sex. Thus, contrary to recent reports, children with consistent and inconsistent hand preferences do not appear to differ in motor behavior as revealed by performance on a fine motor task. Furthermore, it appears that the performance of those with inconsistent hand preference presents a significant challenge to current theoretical notions of the genesis of handedness.

Child↗
PubMed1993

Foot-tapping speed in children ages 4 to 6 years.

This investigation examined the performance and measurement characteristics of foot-tapping speed in 155 4- to 6-year-olds. Analysis suggested that, while the task does not differentiate between preferred and nonpreferred limbs, performance does appear to be age-related, that is, subjects tapped significantly faster with increasing age. Considering type of task and population, reliability was judged as moderate.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

Physical exertion and immediate mental performance of sixth-grade children.

The intent of this investigation was to examine the potential influence of varying durations of physical exertion at different times of the day on immediate mathematical performance by 120 sixth-grade boys and girls. Subjects were assigned to two control and two treatment groups (Solomon Four-group Design), with treated subjects administered physical exertion (paced walking at controlled moderate intensity) for durations of 20, 30, and 40 min. at three different times of the school day [8:30 a.m., 11:50 a.m. (before lunch), 2:20 p.m.] over 3 weeks. After each exertion session, subjects were immediately administered a 90-sec. mathematical computation test. Analysis indicated no significant differences in mathematical performance at any duration in the morning, but scores were significantly higher at 11:50 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. at 30- and 40-min. durations in comparison to the 20-min. duration. There were no differences by gender of subject.

Arousal↗
PubMed1993

Foot laterality during childhood: a review.

Recent reports suggest that footedness warrants consideration as a potentially useful measure of specific aspects of neuropsychological functioning. However, very few data are available concerning its developmental characteristics. This paper presents a review of studies describing the trichotomous distribution of foot laterality spanning the childhood years (ages 3- to 11). When compared to handedness characteristics in the same population, it was noted that right-side dominance (foot preference) was not as pronounced, and about twice as many exhibit no dominant limb (i.e., mixed). The predictable pattern of increasing right-sidedness with advancing age found in handedness was not obvious for foot laterality over this period of time. The mixed-footed phenomenon is addressed using the basic tenets of Annett's Right-Shift hypothesis and the unique cultural factors associated with foot behavior. Applied implications of these observations for neuropsychological assessment and motor skill instruction are discussed.

Child↗
PubMed1992

Associations between hand and foot preference in 3- to 5-year-olds.

Associations between foot and hand preference behavior were examined in 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. Analysis of the general trichotomous (right, left, mixed) distribution of preferences indicated no sex or age group differences, while noting that 39% were mixed-footed compared to 17% not favoring one hand over the other. Frequency of paired (congruent and cross-lateral) preferences revealed that two patterns, Right-hand/Right-foot (52%) and Right-hand/Mixed-foot (23%) accounted for the vast majority (75%) of subjects. Of the total number of right-handers, most (67%) preferred the right foot, while only 19% of the left-handers were congruent. Thus, supporting findings reported on older populations that right-handers are more consistently right-footed, than left-handers are left-footed. Behavior of the mixed- and right-handed sample was similar, suggesting an overall predominance of these lateral characteristics in young children.

Child Development↗
PubMed1989

Foot lateralization and psychomotor control in four-year-olds.

The assumption that young children who have established a preferred and consistent use of lateral limb control may have an advantage in motor skill competence over individuals who do not exhibit established dominant behaviors, was the focus of this investigation. The research identified the lateral foot preferences of 153 4-yr-olds and compared preference groups (right, nonestablished, left) with motor skill competence. Analysis indicated no statistically significant differences on the eight motor tasks among the three groups, however, right-footed children outperformed th subjects with nonestablished foot preference on six of the eight tasks. This speculation is in the direction predicted by previous researchers and demands further inquiry.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1988

Effects of visual aids on acquisition of selected tennis skills.

The study compared the effects of supplemental visual aids on the acquisition of selected tennis skills. The forehand and backhand drive placement tests of the Hewitt Tennis Achievement Test were used to pretest, midtest, and posttest 55 subjects who were assigned to one of three treatments: control (instructor's verbal feedback only), videotaped replay viewing (with instructor's feedback), and loop-film viewing (modeling, with instructor's feedback). Each received 1200 min. of instruction. There were no statistically significant differences among groups; however, empirical evidence suggested that the use of videotaped replay and loop-film technique has merit and might be given consideration for use in instructional settings.

Feedback↗
PubMed1984

Ladder angle and ankle flexion while climbing.

39 children 4 to 8 yr. of age were filmed while ascending and descending ladders positioned at 90, 67, 40, 24, 14, and 0 degree from horizontal. Analysis indicated that the greatest range of motion, i.e., variability, took place at angles of 90, 67, and 40 degrees, and at each angle the deviation was from dorsito plantar flexion. While results showed that at each angle more dorsiflexion was exhibited ascending than descending, minimal plantar flexion was noted so most movement occurred in the dorsiflexion range. The greatest deviation (and near maximal movement) was in dorsiflexion at the horizontal (0 degree) position. Implications for design of play apparatus were presented.

Ankle Joint↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Imagined and actual limb selection: a test of preference.

Imagined and actual motor performance were compared to determine what factor(s) drive limb selection for programming movements in contralateral hemispace. Forty right-handed blindfolded subjects were asked to 'reach' via auditory stimulus for a small object placed at multiple locations in hemispace. Two conditions were included: arms uncrossed and arms crossed. With the uncrossed condition, responses were similar. With arms crossed, subjects had the choice of keeping the limbs crossed, reacting to proximity, or uncrossing the arms to reach ipsilaterally. In this condition subjects 'imagined' that they would maintain the crossedposition and reach with the hand closest to the stimulus in both right and left hemispace. However, during 'actual' reaching, responses differed. For left-field stimuli, participants kept the arms crossed, but in response to right-field stimuli, subjects preferred to uncross the limbs in order to reach with the dominant hand. These findings suggest that while motor dominance is the primary factor in limb choice for action in ipsilateral hemispace, it appears that object proximity drives limb selection for reaching in contralateral hemispace.

Adult↗