Underlying structure and internal consistency of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Long

Form, in Greek preschool and primary school children.

Antonios Kambas, Nikolaos Aggelousis, Hereni Proviadaki, George Mavromatis &Kyriakos Taxildaris

Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Hellas

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to examine the underlying structure and the internal consistency of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Long Form in Greek preschool and primary school aged children. The participants were 403 children (222 preschoolers and 181 primary school students) from Macedonia and Thrace. The data were analyzed via the principal factor analysis. The factor analysis pro- duced four factors: coordination with emphasis in precision of movement (α=.68), upper-limb speed and accuracy (α=.45), speed of movement and response ability (α=.62) and upper-limb accuracy (α=.73). All Pearson correlation coefficients between single-item scores and total scores were statistically significant except the tests standing on preferred leg on balance beam and tapping foot and finger on same side synchronized. The Cohen’s effect size indexes were small only for five out of twenty six variables. In conclusion the BOTMP-Long Form presents validity problems at preschool and primary school age in Greece. On the other hand its internal consistency is satisfactory. Further research using different types of experimental designs and statistical analyses is needed, in order to arrive to safe conclusions.

Key words: BOTMP, construct validity, internal consistency, motor proficiency, preschool age, primary school age