Gross motor ability of native Greek, Roma, and Roma immigrant school-age children in Greece

Perceptual and Motor Skills
Volume 112, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 279-288

Gross motor ability of native Greek, Roma, and Roma immigrant school-age children in Greece (Article)

Tsimaras V.* , Arzoglou D. , Fotiadou E. , Kokaridas D. , Kotzamanidou M. , Angelopoulou N. , Bassa E.

^a Laboratory of Developmental Pediatrics and Special Education, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 25 Velissariou Street, 54640 Thessaloniki, Greece
^b Laboratory of Developmental Pediatrics and Special Education, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 25 Velissariou Street, 54640 Thessaloniki, Greece
^c Laboratory of Developmental Pediatrics and Special Education, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 25 Velissariou Street, 54640 Thessaloniki, Greece
^d Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Greece
^e Laboratory of Developmental Pediatrics and Special Education, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 25 Velissariou Street, 54640 Thessaloniki, Greece
^f Laboratory of Developmental Pediatrics and Special Education, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 25 Velissariou Street, 54640 Thessaloniki, Greece
^g Laboratory of Developmental Pediatrics and Special Education, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 25 Velissariou Street, 54640 Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to estimate and compare gross motor ability of children aged 7 to 10 years, all from Roma minority families (Romas, Roma immigrants) and families of indigenous Greeks. The sample consisted of 180 children (60 natives, 60 Romas, 60 Roma immigrants) studying in Greek public primary schools. The Test of Gross Motor Development scores showed that the group of indigenous Greek children had significantly higher performance in terms of locomotion skills, handling skills, and general motor ability compared to the groups of Roma and Roma immigrant children. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two other groups. These findings might be attributed to less participation of minority children in organized physical activities in and outside school, as well as to the reduced parental encouragement for att ending related activities. © Perceptual and Motor Skills 2011.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

male Emigrants and Immigrants motor performance gipsy female Analysis of Variance Greece ethnology physiology Child Development Article Gypsies human Humans migration Motor Skills Child

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79955823999&doi=10.2466%2f04.10.11.17.PMS.112.1.279-288&partnerID=40&md5=86d1e2476b575484a8c7143a0e0f06f1

DOI: 10.2466/04.10.11.17.PMS.112.1.279-288

ISSN: 00315125

Cited by: 3

Original Language: English