Smith, L, van Jaarsveld, CHM, Llewellyn, C et al. (4 more authors) (2017) Genetic and Environmental Influences on Developmental Milestones and Movement: Results From the Gemini Cohort Study. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 88 (4). pp. 401-407. ISSN 0270-1367
Abstract
Purpose: Variability in the timing of infant developmental milestones is poorly understood. We used a twin analysis to estimate genetic and environmental influences on motor development and activity levels in infancy. Method: Data were from the Gemini Study, a twin birth cohort of 2,402 families with twins born in the United Kingdom in 2007. Parents reported motor activity level for each of the twins at age 3 months using the Revised Infant Behavior Rating Scale and reported the ages at which they first sat unsupported, crawled, and walked unaided. Results: Activity level at 3 months and ages when first sitting and crawling were about equally influenced by the shared family environment (45%–54%) and genes (45%–48%). Genetic influences dominated for age when children took their first independent steps (84%). Conclusion: Aspects of the shared family environment appear to be important influences on motor activity levels and early milestones, although the timing of walking may have a stronger genetic influence. Further research to identify the specific environmental and genetic factors that promote early activity may be important for longer-term health outcomes.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2017 SHAPE America. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport on 19th October 2017, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/02701367.2017.1373268. |
Keywords: | Activity, child, motor, twin |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > School of Psychology (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 11 Oct 2017 10:15 |
Last Modified: | 19 Apr 2019 00:38 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Taylor & Francis |
Identification Number: | 10.1080/02701367.2017.1373268 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:122279 |