1. Motor Development Growth and Development

2. 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.

3. Factors influencing growth patterns:

4. 3 Major Growth Spurts in Human Growth History: • In utero – nutritionally & genetically determined • 54-60 months of age (age 4 to 5) • 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.

5. 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

6. 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).

7. 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”

8. 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!

9. 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!

10. 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.