Abstract

A gender difference has been found in motor competence using several instruments. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) seems to be one of the most developed instruments for children’s motor coordination assessment, allowing the identification of developmental coordination disorders. Our study aimed to systematically review the differences in the motor performance between genders in studies using only the MABC. Five databases (Scopus, EBSCO+Sport Discus, Web of Knowledge, B-ON and Pubmed) were systematically investigated and studies were included if the MABC tests was a central objective and gender was a considered factor. Five authors independently assessed the eligibility of the studies. A systematic review of electronic databases and reference lists has identified nineteen peer-reviewed studies that meet the inclusion criteria. Results revealed that gender differences in performance were consistent across studies, since boys had more success and ease in activities involving gross motor skills, and girls did better activities involving fine motor skills. Differences in balance were not conclusive as the results on this parameter were mixed. This systematic review highlights the magnitude of gender differences on motor competence as evaluated by the MABC.

Resumen

Se ha encontrado una diferencia de género en la competencia motora utilizando varios instrumentos. La Batería de Evaluación del Movimiento ABC (MABC) parece ser uno de los instrumentos más desarrollados para la evaluación de la coordinación motora de los niños, lo que permite la identificación de problemas evolutivos da coordinación motriz. Nuestro estudio tuvo como objetivo revisar sistemáticamente las diferencias en el rendimiento motor entre los géneros en los estudios que utilizan solo el MABC. Se investigaron sistemáticamente cinco bases de datos (Scopus, EBSCO+Sport Discus, Web of Knowledge, B-ON and Pubmed) y se incluyeron los estudios si las pruebas MABC eran un objetivo central y el género era un factor considerado. Cinco autores evaluaron de forma independiente la elegibilidad de los estudios. Una revisión sistemática de bases de datos electrónicas y listas de referencias identificó diecinueve estudios revisados por pares que cumplen con los criterios de inclusión. Los resultados revelaron que las diferencias de género en el rendimiento fueron consistentes entre los estudios, ya que los niños tuvieron más éxito y facilidad en las actividades que involucran habilidades motoras gruesas, y las niñas realizaron mejores actividades que involucraban las habilidades motoras finas. Las diferencias en el equilibrio no fueron concluyentes ya que los resultados en este parámetro fueron mixtos. Esta revisión sistemática resalta la magnitud de las diferencias de género en la competencia motriz evaluada por el MABC.

https://doi.org/10.5232/ricyde2019.05505

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