DAVID GALLAHUE'S MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

David Gallahue investigated, through a deductive methodology, the existence of a series of

phases in motor development, which correspond chronologically to specific moments in
life.

He highlighted in his theoretical approach:

1. The human being progresses motorically from the simple to the complex and from the
general to the specific.
2. Each subject must pass a phase to be eligible for more complex motor behaviors.
3. Human beings can be in different phases in different tasks. 4. There are physical
(aptitude) and mechanical factors that intervene in motor execution.

These movement patterns have also been defined as an “organized series of basic
movements that deliver the combination of movement patterns of two or more segments
of the body, which are oriented to the execution of a sport and which involve stability,
locomotion and handling."

Gallahue highlighted the existence of various stages in each of the phases. In the phase of
basic motor skills that goes from 2 to 7 years, three stages stand out: initial, elementary
and mature in the skills of running, throwing, tackling, kicking and jumping.

1. Initial Stage (2 to 3 years):

- 1st attempt to execute a task.
- Lack of coordination (wasted or exaggerated efforts).

2. Elementary Stage (3 to 5 years):

- Better coordination and rhythm.

3. Maduro Stadium (5 to 7 years):

- Adequate coordination, correct and efficient mechanism.

Although these scales are appropriate to be applied at these ages, it has been proven that
many subjects aged 12 or 18 are in initial or elementary stages in some tasks.

Psychomotricity 2012
 UMAG Kinesiology Degree
CAREER
RUNNING is defined as the form of movement in which the feet rest successively and
alternately on the movement surface, propelling the subject's body in a certain direction.

Observation position : the running pattern must be observed from two different angles.
The movement of the legs (lateral view) and the movement of the arms should be
evaluated from the side of the examinee, at a distance of approximately 6 meters, while
the movement of the legs (rear view) should be observed from behind while the subject
runs away from the examiner.
The subject must start from and arrive at clearly marked lines. It may be helpful to place
the child in a competitive situation to encourage maximum effort. The distance traveled
must be long enough for the child to reach his maximum speed; However, you should not
get tired.
A sufficient rest period will be allowed between each test.
Suggested verbal instructions : “When I say now, I want you to run as fast as you can to
those cones.” Ready? “Now.”
Special instructions : when determining the distance to run, the observer must consider:
1) having enough time to be able to evaluate the action to be observed (not counting the
initial phase of observation and the last phase of loss of speed), 2) the age of the child and
his/her ability to run without tiring during the attempts. It is suggested that for children
under 6 years of age the total distance be limited to about 5 to 6 meters; Older children
will be able to run between 8 and 11 meters. The surface to be run must be even and
without obstacles, rough ground can alter the pattern in question.

AC
 R

Psychomotricity 2012
UMAG Kinesiology Degree
INITIAL ELEMENTARY MATURE
CAREER
Leg movement (side view).
RE toes outward. height
forward.
when sliding
Leg movement is short and
Wide support base. The step length is
limited.
Increases movement, maximum and the speed is
length and speed. high.
Stiff and uneven step.

Limited but observable There is a defined phase of

There is no observable
flight phase. flight.
flight phase.
There is incomplete
Supporting leg extends
extension of the The supporting leg is
extended more fully on completely.
supporting leg.
takeoff.
The thigh that moves
Arm movement. forward does so parallel to
the ground.
Stiff and short movement;
Vertical swing in
the elbow flexed to a
Increase arm swing. opposition to the legs.
variable degree.
The arms are flexed at
It tends to swing out Predominance of backward
movement over horizontal right angles.
horizontally.
Leg movement (rear movement.
view). The moving leg rotates
outward from the hip.
The moving foot crosses Small rotation of the foot
The moving foot turns the the midline with a certain and leg in the forward
movement.
 Psiomotricity 2012
UMAG Kinesiology Degree
JUMP (Long jump)
It is defined as that action in which take-off from the ground occurs, mainly thanks to the
impulse of the EEII.

Observation position: must be observed from a position perpendicular to the action. The
examinee should start from a relaxed position, with the toes of both feet touching the
starting line. Care should be taken not to place the child's feet in an artificial or
uncomfortable position.
Suggested verbal instructions: “When I tell you to jump, I want you to jump with both
feet, as far as you can. Ready? Jump.
Special instructions: The broad jump pattern should be performed on a carpet or soft
surface or grass. The initial position can be marked with a line; footprints drawn on paper
will help the child place theirs in the correct position.

Psychomotricity 2012
 UMAG Kinesiology Degree
ELEMENTARY INITIAL JUMP
MATURE
Arm movement. movement, to maintain They move to the sides to During takeoff they swing
Limited roll; the arms do balance. maintain balance during forward strongly and rise.
not trigger the jump. They start the jump. flight.
Backward and upward The arms are kept high
During base flight, lateral They always remain movement during during the jump.
downward movement or forward of the body in the preparatory flexion.
posterior upward initial flexion position.

Trunk movement. Moves upright; little influence Greater influence on displacement

in the jump. horizontal.
The trunk moves at an angle of 45º.
Leg and hip movement. The weight shifts The hips are flexed during occurs at take-off.
The preparatory flexion is backwards when touching flight.
unconscious in terms of the ground. The thighs remain parallel
the flexion of the legs. The preparatory flexion is And the thighs are kept in a to the ground during the
deeper and more flexed position. flight phase, the lower leg
There is difficulty using consistent. The preparatory flexion is remains vertical.
both feet more accentuated and
The extension on takeoff is conscious. The weight of the body
Extension is limited in more complete. moves forward at the
Takeoff. Full extension of the moment of landing.
ankles, knees and hips

Psychomotricity 2012
UMAG Kinesiology Degree
THROW (Over the shoulder throw)
It is defined as the action of detaching an object, through a vigorous movement of one or
both upper extremities.

Observation position: The over-the-shoulder shooting pattern should be observed with

the observer facing the examinee and slightly offset toward the child's dominant side. Care
must be taken not to obstruct or limit the child's shot by blocking the path.
Suggested verbal instructions: “When I tell you, I want you to throw this ball as far as you
can.” Ready? “Throw.”
Special instructions: The surface of the shooting area must be even and not slippery.
If possible, the pattern will be executed outdoors or in a large gym. The ball should be
small enough that the child can control it with his fingers. Cloth balls are excellent as they
 can only reach a limited distance and are therefore easily recoverable.

Psychomotricity 2012
UMAG Kinesiology Degree
INITIAL ELEMENTAL MATURE
LAUNCH

Arm movement. sides, backwards with the The throwing elbow

The movement starts from elbow in a flexed position. moves forward
the elbow. horizontally as it stretches.
The ball is kept behind the
The elbow remains head. The forearm rotates and
forward of the body; The the thumb ends up
movement is similar to The arm moves forward, pointing down.
pushing. high in relation to the
shoulder.
The fingers separate when The arm moves backwards
releasing. in preparation.

The inertia is forward and The opposite elbow is

downward. raised to balance the
In preparation, the arm movement of the
moves upwards, to the performing arm.
Trunk movement. The trunk remains
perpendicular to the target.
There is a small
rotation during shooting.
executes the shot during the forward.
preparatory movement. The trunk rotates noticeably towards
the side that executes the shot during
The shoulders rotate towards the the movement
executing side. preparatory.

body weight The trunk flexes forward The shoulder that executes the shot
experience a slight accompanying the forward movement drops slightly.
movement towards of the arm.
back. There is a defined rotation of the hips,
The trunk rotates towards the side that There is a defined shift of body weight legs, spine and
shoulders during shooting

Movement of legs and

feet.
The feet remain still.

At the moment of
preparing the shot there
may be a small
purposeless movement of
the feet.
A step forward is taken
with the leg corresponding
to the arm that executes
the shot.
During the moment of
preparation the weight is
on the back foot.

As the weight shifts, the

opposite foot moves
forward one step.
 Psychomotricity 2012
UMAG Kinesiology Degree
RECEPTION (Shortcut)
It is defined as the action of intercepting and/or controlling a mobile phone moving
through space.

Observation position: The cutting pattern should be observed directly facing the child.
Taking the shot with the low hand, the examiner should throw a small ball, approximately
at chest height.
Suggested verbal instructions: “I want you to catch this ball when I throw it.” Ready?
Special instructions: In the split pattern the size and weight of the ball is of utmost
importance. It is suggested to use a softball-sized ball or one filled with cotton fabric. The
height at which the ball is thrown also modifies the response. It should be thrown at chest
height from a distance of approximately one and a half meters. Any shot taken too high or
too low must be discarded.

Psychomotricity 2012
UMAG Kinesiology Degree
 INITIAL MATURE ELEMENTARY
RECEPTION
Head movement. The arms are extended in The elbows are kept to the The arms remain relaxed at
front of the body. sides, flexed at around 90º. both sides and the
forearms extended in front
There is little movement The arms catch the ball of the body.
until the moment of when the initial contact
contact. attempted by the hands The arms yield upon
Arm movement. fails. contact to absorb the force
The movement is similar to brought by the ball.
the dragging action with
the whole arm. The arms adapt to the
trajectory of the ball.
You try to catch the ball
with your whole body.

The thumbs are kept facing

The palms are turned The hands face each other each other.
upward. with thumbs up.
The hands take the ball
The fingers are extended Once contact is made, the with a simultaneous and
and tense. hands try to take the ball well-coordinated
with an uneven movement movement.
The hands are not used in and barely
the tackle pattern. coordinated. The fingers apply more
Hand movement.
The rejection reaction is The rejection reaction effective pressure.
A marked reaction occurs,
limited to the child closing completely disappears.
turning the head or
covering the face with the his eyes when he makes
arms. contact with the ball.

Psychomotricity 2012
UMAG Kinesiology Degree
KICK

Observation Position : The kicking pattern should be observed from the child's side, with
the observer standing directly perpendicular to the ball to be kicked.
 Suggested verbal instructions : “When I tell you, I want you to kick this ball as far as you
can.”
Special instructions : The child should be located more or less one step away from the ball.
The ball must be kicked with a prior run. It should measure around 0.30 m in diameter and
not be too heavy to make kicking difficult.

Psychomotricity 2012
UMAG Kinesiology Degree
INITIAL ELEMENTARY MATURE
KICK
Movement of arms and Leg movement. limited backward The preparatory backward
trunk. Movements are scarce movement. There is little movement occurs at the
during the act of kicking. forward movement and no level of the knee.
The trunk remains rigid. inertia is observed.
The kicking leg tends to
The arms are used to The child kicks “towards” remain flexed while
maintain balance. the ball rather than kicking kicking.
it directly with momentum.
The kicking leg makes a Inertia is limited to a
forward movement of the During the inertial phase, level. Increases the length of the
knee. the trunk tilts. leg swing.
The arms move with The weight-bearing leg
alternating movements flexes slightly upon Inertia raises the leg; The
when kicking. The movement of the contact. foot that acts as support
kicking leg begins at head moves by resting on the
toes.

Psychomotricity 2012
UMAG Kinesiology Degree