Author(s): Mercê, Cristiana ; Catela, David ; Brígida, Nancy ; Rafael, D. ; Olhos, B. ; Gonçalves, M. ; Branco, Marco A. C.
Date: 2023
Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.15/4751
Origin: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Santarém
Subject(s): finger tapping test; lyaponov exponent; children; fine motricity; dynamic systems; motor development; sistemas dinâmicos; variabilidade; desenvolvimento motor; motricidade fina; teste de batidas do dedo
Recent advancements in nonlinear methodologies have allowed deeper analysis of motor control during development. This study aimed to analyse the evolution of the fine motor skills in children aged 6 to 9 years old through the Lypaunov Exponent (LyE). It was asked to 60 children (M=8,141±1,064 years) to perform the finger taping test, 6 trials in each hand, starting with their preferred one. An inertial sensor was attached to the index finger to collect three-dimensional angular velocity. The LyE values were calculated per child, hand, and movement axis. The results highlighted a notable distinction between the 6- and 7-year-old and the 8- and 9-year-old, aligned with the different phases of motor development. The older ones presented higher variability, which can reflect their greater proficiency in this fine motor task, due to their extensive practice at school context. LyE analysis seems to be sensitive to changes that occur during different phases of motor development.
