Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

Background: Motor proficiency plays an important role in mobility. But various factors have effect on the motor proficiency. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of body mass index, and age on motor proficiency in children, adolescents, and adults.
Methods: This research is descriptive type causal comparative study. 360 boys from Tehran (120 people for each age group) were selected by targeted clustering method. The motor proficiency was evaluated by the Bruninx-Oseretsky test, whose validity and reliability were appropriate for this sample study. Body mass index was calculated using the weight and height formula and categorized using international body mass index charts. The statistical test of LSD was used to examine the difference between groups at a significant level (p<0.05).
Results: The results showed that age does not effect motor proficiency; but body mass index effects motor proficiency. Thus skinny and obese children are less skilled than normal and overweight children, as well as overweight and obese adolescents and adults are less skilled than normal and lean adolescents and adults.
Conclusion: The effect of body mass index on motor proficiency varies in different age groups. According to the results of this research, educators and specialists must identify and treat vulnerable groups at different ages in proportion to body mass index.