Preterm birth and childhood gross motor competence

Authors

  • Beth M M Rizzardo University of British Columbia
  • Shannon S.D. Bredin University of British Columbia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v11i1.247

Keywords:

Preterm Birth, Childhood Gross Motor Competence, Preterm Gross Motor Development

Abstract

The high rates of preterm birth in countries such as Canada are a concern, as evidence suggests that children born preterm are at risk for a number of complications, including delays in motor development. Such delays may be due to immaturity and/or damage to the nervous system at birth, as the central nervous system plays an integral role in motor proficiency. In particular, children born early preterm consistently demonstrate lower gross motor profiency in childhood. While some children may exhibit motor milestone delays early in development, research suggests that motor deficits may not emerge in some preterm children until the years of school entry or beyond. Increased awareness of potential motor issues, referral networks to qualified movement specialists, and the accurate identification of motor delays is critical for early and timely intervention. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to discuss the research related to gross motor proficiency of preterm children, highlighting the critical role of movement specialists and the importance of movement-based monitoring and instruction in the preterm population.

Author Biographies

Beth M M Rizzardo, University of British Columbia

MSc. Student

School of Kinesiology

University of British Columbia

Shannon S.D. Bredin, University of British Columbia

Associate Professor

Physical Activity and Chronic Disease Prevention Unit, Laboratory for Knowledge Mobilization

School of Kinesiology

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Published

2018-01-30

How to Cite

Rizzardo, B. M. M., & Bredin, S. S. (2018). Preterm birth and childhood gross motor competence. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 11(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v11i1.247

Issue

Section

SYSTEMATIC OR NARRATIVE REVIEWS