Cultural differences in motor skills and psychometric evaluation of the MABC-2 in Taiwanese school-aged children

TL;DR

This study evaluates the MABC-2 motor skills test in Taiwanese children, finding cultural differences and acceptable reliability but suggesting the need for local norms.

Contribution

The study provides psychometric evaluation and cultural comparison of the MABC-2 in a Taiwanese population.

Findings

Taiwanese children outperformed U.K. norms in manual dexterity but underperformed in aiming and catching.

Test-retest and inter-rater reliabilities were acceptable to high, but measurement errors were large.

The MABC-2 showed weak correlations with adaptive behavior scales and varied responsiveness.

Abstract

The Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC-2) is widely used to assess motor skills in school-aged children. This study aimed to evaluate the cultural differences in motor skills and psychometric properties of the MABC-2 in Taiwanese children. We assessed 257 children, with 71 assessed once, 168 assessed twice, and 90 completing a 6-month follow-up. We compared motor performance of Taiwanese with the standardized U.K. sample and examined the floor and ceiling effects, reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the MABC-2. The results showed that in general, Taiwanese children performed better in manual dexterity task but worse in aiming and catching tasks compared to the U.K. norm. The drawing trail task and balance tasks showed ceiling effects. Test-retest reliabilities were acceptable to high (ICC = 0.619–0.853), inter-rater reliabilities were high (ICC = 0.771–0.985), and random measurement errors were large (minimal detectable change = 33.9–171%). A three-factor model was identified for the subscales, and a one-factor model for the total scale. The MABC-2 showed weak to low correlations with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Responsiveness ranged from small to large (effect size = 0.443–2.339). Accordingly, the MABC-2 demonstrated satisfactory psychometric properties, though local norms and cautious interpretation are needed.

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