Age and Gender- related Fluctuations in Associated Movement Among Igbo Children of Southeastern Nigeria
Associated Movement (AM) is a spontaneous propensity in humans to generate ipsilateral and contralateral movements while performing motor functions. The study investigated age and gender-related fluctuations in AM among Igbo children of Southeastern Nigeria. It utilized 224 children within the age range of 1 to 16 years (mean=8.50, 8D=4.620 who were selected from two schools in Imo State, Nigeria. AM was measured with clip pinching, finger spreading, and finger lifting tests. The study utilized 2x3 factorial (experimental) design and data generated was analyzed using chi square analysis and spearman’s correlation. Results indicate that age has significant effect on finger spreading but no effect on clip pinching and finger lifting. Also gender had significant effect on finger lifting but none on clip pinching and finger spreading. The superiority in AM performance in early ages, and both gender and age-related fluxes suggests earlier maturity of brain-related processes of motor control among Igbo (African) children as opposed to their Caucasian counterparts. Further studies using stringent methods is suggested.