The assessment of gross motor skills development among down syndrome children in Klang Valley

摘要

Gross motor skills is one of the precursors for successful involvement in any sports and physical activities performance. This study investigated the gross motor skills development among Down syndrome children in Klang Valley. 30 children (16 boys and 14 girls) participated in this study with the age range from 3–10 years old. They were assessed on locomotor and object control skills. It includes running, galloping, hoping, leaping, horizontal jumping, and sliding, striking, dribbling, kicking, catching, throwing and underhand roll. 10.0% of the children scored Above Average on the ratings, 30.0% Average, 23.3% Below Average, 20% Poor and 16.67% Very Poor. The mean score for boys on locomotor skills was 5.8 (SD 3.8) while for girls 6.3 (SD 2.8). The mean score for boys on object control skills was 9.6 (SD 3.5) while for the girls 9.5 (SD 3.93). There was no significant difference between boys and girls in locomotor skills. Results for object control skills also showed no significant different between boys and girls. The result shows that there was positive relationship between locomotor skills and object control skills among boys and girl. Suitable intervention strategies have to be implemented to improve the gross motor skills development among the participants.