The Impact of Birth Season and Sex on Motor Skills in 2-Year-Old Children: A Study in Jinhua, Eastern China.

BACKGROUND

This study investigates the effects of birth season and sex on the development of gross and fine motor skills in 2-year-old children in Jinhua, Eastern China.

METHODS

Conducted in Jinhua, a city in central Zhejiang Province, Eastern China, this research involved 225 children, assessing their gross and fine motor skills using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition. Scores were adjusted for age in months to avoid the relative age effect. Statistical analyses included MANOVA to evaluate the impacts of season and sex.

RESULTS

Sex had no significant impact on overall motor development scores ( > 0.05). However, the season of birth significantly affected fine motor quotient (FMQ) and total motor quotient (TMQ) ( < 0.05). Boys' motor skills were generally unaffected by season, whereas girls born in winter exhibited superior fine motor skills compared to those born in summer.

CONCLUSIONS

Seasonal environmental factors significantly influence early motor development, particularly fine motor skills in girls. These findings highlight the importance of considering seasonal variations in early childhood interventions aimed at enhancing exercise physiology and sports performance.