Relationship between psychomotor profile and lifestyle among schoolchildren in João Pessoa, PB

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess whether schoolchildren psychomotor development is related to lifestyle - the latter estimated by performance of school and non-school leisure activities. Seventy-four children (38 girls, 36 boys) aged 9 to 12 (10.5±1.2) years old were selected among those enrolled in public and private schools in João Pessoa, PB. They were assessed by means of the Picq & Vayer test battery and by a questionnaire on school and non-school leisure activities. Results show that, among the 74 sample children, 63 (85%) presented developmental disorder, mostly attending public schools. Among school activities, 35% of children with delay said they"do nothing" during recreation; among typical-development children, none said doing nothing and 36% said they practised sport (vs 5% of disordered children). As to non-school activities, television, internet and electronic games were singled out as favourites by 44.3% of children with delay, and by none among typical ones. The fact that children with psychomotor disorders preferably engage in less lively, physical, activities suggests an association between lifestyle and psychomotor profile.