Motor Development Growth and Development

Growth & development Growth & development – terms used interchangeably; refer to changes in human body from birth to death. Growth – change in size Development – process of maturation All humans follow a similar sequential process but yet we are individual in our rates of growth & development. *Not all children mature at the same rate.

Factors influencing growth patterns :

3 Major Growth Spurts in Human Growth History: 1.In utero – nutritionally & genetically determined months of age (age 4 to 5) 3.Puberty Boys = girls height up to age 11; then girls tend to be taller than boys until age 13. Boys = girls weight up to age 11; then boys tend to be heavier than girls by age 15+. People who undergo early growth spurts usually end up shorter than those who have late growth spurts.

Changes in physical features relating to sport performance … Centre of gravity – higher in children than adults children are less stable, especially when trying to stop bodies from moving in 1 direction

Changes in physical features relating to sport performance Body Proportions · The fingers of a 4-5 yr. old are short/stubby making it difficult to grasp small objects vs. 6-7 yr. old · The legs of an adolescent undergoing a growth spurt are longer in proportion to body which enables this athlete to run faster. Hip-shoulder ratio in males differs from females following puberty – guys have the advantage in throwing b/c of this; ladies have a lower centre of gravity & are more stable (better gymnasts).

Changes in physical features relating to sport performance Muscle & Fat Mass · Fat deposition in body increases from birth to 6 months, then decreases up to age 6-8 · Body fat increases approaching adolescence but decreases during growth spurt for guys more so than girls · Muscles increase in length, breadth, and width such that muscle tissue weighs 40x more at maturity than at birth · Height & weight increase before strength · Early-maturing children are usually stronger than late “ bloomers ”

Developmental patterns that typify the growth of children Cephalocaudally – HEAD to TOE progression; coordination & management of body parts occur in the upper body before they are observed in the lower; child can throw before kick!

Developmental patterns that typify the growth of children Proximodistally – INSIDE to OUTSIDE progression; child can control arm before hand; can reach for objects before being able to grasp them!

Developmental patterns that typify the growth of children GENERAL to SPECIFIC progression; gross motor movements occur before fine motor coordination & refined movement patterns; as child learns motor skills, non-productive movement is gradually eliminated.