Research article - (2020)19, 585 - 595
A Video-Based Classification System for Assessing Locomotor Skills in Children
Daniel H. K. Chow, Wilson H. W. Cheng, Simone S. M. Tam
Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Daniel H. K. Chow
✉ Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Email: danielchow@eduhk.hk
Received: 08-11-2019 -- Accepted: 29-07-2020
Published (online): 13-08-2020

ABSTRACT

The Test of Gross Motor Development 2 (TGMD-2) is currently the standard approach for assessing fundamental movement skills (FMS), including locomotor and object control skills. However, its extensive application is restricted by its low efficiency and requirement of expert training for large-scale evaluations. This study evaluated the accuracy of a newly-developed video-based classification system (VCS) with a marker-less sensor to assess children’s locomotor skills. A total of 203 typically-developing children aged three to eight years executed six locomotor skills, following the TGMD-2 guidelines. A Kinect v2 sensor was used to capture their activities, and videos were recorded for further evaluation by a trained rater. A series of computational-kinematic-based algorithms was developed for instant performance rating. The VCS exhibited moderate-to-very good levels of agreement with the rater, ranging from 66.1% to 87.5%, for each skill, and 72.4% for descriptive ratings. Paired t-test revealed that there were no significant differences, but significant positive correlation, between the standard scores determined by the two approaches. Tukey mean difference plot suggested there was no bias, with a mean difference (SD) of -0.16 (1.8) and respective 95% confidence interval of 3.5. The kappa agreement for the descriptive ratings between the two approaches was found to be moderate (k = 0.54, p < 0.01). Overall, the results suggest the VCS could potentially be an alternative to the conventional TGMD-2 assessment approach for assessing children’s locomotor skills without the necessity of the presence of an experienced rater for the administration.

Key words: Children, Fundamental movement skills, Kinect v2 sensor, Marker-less device, TGMD-2, Video-based system

Key Points
  • Criterion-specific thresholds were identified for children aged from 3 – 8 years which can serve as a basis for the establishment of referencing norm in local region.
  • The percentage agreement (72.4%) and kappa agreement (54.0%) between the VCS and the rater in terms of descriptive ratings were found to be good and moderate, respectively
  • With the use of VCS, objective, comprehensive and instant assessment of FMS locomotor skills for a large population without the necessity of the presence of an experienced rater, thereby substantially reducing human intervention during administration compared with the conventional TGMD-2 assessment approach.
  • New and validated marker-less, kinematic-computational-based approach in assessing children’s locomotor skills is proved to be feasible.








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