Formation of kinetic organization of movements in ontogenesis in urban and rural children

Introduction. Movements influence child development throughout of life. Through movement, needs for play, communication, and learning are realized. Individual differences in movement formation are associated with many factors, including environmental influence. However, how the environment and population setting of a child affect various characteristics of motor function has not been fully studied.

The aim. To identify differences in the development of the kinetic component of voluntary movements in children depending on their habitat and population environment.

Materials and methods. As part of a comprehensive screening neuropsychological study, 2253 children aged 4-10 years were examined, of whom 1362 lived in cities and 891 in rural areas of Eastern Siberia. Well-adapted methods were used to study the kinetic aspect of movements: tests for reciprocal coordination of movements and dynamic praxis. Test performance results were evaluated using a five-point scale.

Results. This study was the first to analyze the developmental features of kinetic organization of movement in populations of urban and rural children during ontogenesis. At age 4, when kinetic organization of voluntary movements is not yet fully formed, no notable differences between urban and rural children were observed. However, after age 5, the urban population acquired a consistent advantage in developing kinetic components of voluntary movements. The onset of school education did not significantly influence the dynamics of this process, indicating heterochrony in the development of the voluntary kinetic component of motor function at the population level.

Conclusion. Different degrees of maturation of prefrontal motor brain systems and varying intensity of development of anterior corpus callosum regions during ontogenesis in different child populations can be assumed. Urban environments stimulate preferential development of the kinetic factor in the structure of voluntary movement compared to other aspects of motor function.

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