This study examines the associations of physical activity and gross motor skills in parent-child dyads. Parent-child dyads (N = 61, 84% mothers, children aged 8-11 years) participated in this study. Anthropometrics were self-reported through Qualtrics. Physical activity was assessed using accelerometers. Motor skills were measured through four…

Longitudinal measurement enables the examination of behavioral or psychological change. One approach to examining longitudinal measurements is the use of latent growth curve modeling (LGCM). This approach affords the assessment of inter- and intraindividual change. Yet, this approach likely is underused in exercise science. The purpose of the…

The Michigan State University (MSU) Motor Performance Study (MPS) was initiated in 1967 and was known across the United States for its unique blend of teaching, service, and research. Dr. Vern Seefeldt began the study as a means to begin research with children on-campus. The instructional portion of the program ended in 1999; data collection…

Autism spectrum disorder is the fastest growing developmental disability in the United States. As such, there is an unprecedented need for research examining factors contributing to the health disparities in this population. This research suggests a relationship between the levels of physical activity and health outcomes. In fact, excessive…

Despite evidence suggesting one of the earliest indicators of an eventual autism spectrum disorder diagnoses is an early motor delay, there remain very few interventions targeting motor behavior as the primary outcome for young children with autism spectrum disorder. The aim of this pilot study was to measure the efficacy of an intensive motor…

With increased interest in the early diagnosis and treatment of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), more attention has been called to the motor skills of very young children with ASD. This study describes the gross and fine motor skills of a cross-sectional group of 162 children with ASD between the ages of 12 and 36 months, as well as…

This document is designed to assist physical education teachers in addressing deficiencies found in Michigan students when they were tested on physical education performance objectives. The objectives included are: (1) locomotion--run, hop, skip; (2) body projection--horizontal and vertical jump; (3) rhythm--move to an even beat; (4) object…

This document is designed to assist physical education teachers to design curricula which can help students with learning disabilities, emotional impairments, and educable mental impairments achieve Michigan's essential goals and objectives for physical education. Chapter I discusses legal mandates, terminology, movement characteristics of the…