ASYMMETRIC TONIC NECK REFLEX (ATNR) INFLUENCE ON THROWING AND CATCHING SKILLS OF K4/K5 CHILDREN: A PILOT STUDY

Purpose/Hypothesis: This study investigated the relationship between retained ATNR in K4/K5 aged children and catching and throwing. skills. Seventeen K4 and K5 children (Males = 7, Females = 10) were screened.
Materials/

Methods: Children volunteered from an urban elementary school. Rating of ATNR presence was completed using the Schilder Protocol. Following ATNR testing, catching and throwing competency were assessed using criteria developed by Goodway. Descriptive statistics were run on the number of K4, K5, female and male students. Independent t tests were performed comparing ATNR scores and catching/throwing competency scores between grades and gender. Pearson Correlation Coefficients were calculated using SPSS28 to determine the strength of the relationship between ATNR scores and catching and throwing competency scores (p <.05)

Results: All children demonstrated an ATNR reflex (K4 average = 8.75 ± 3.45; K5 average = 7.11 ± 2.76). The younger children (K4) tended to have higher average ATNR scores (8.75 ± 3.49) than their older (K5) counterparts (7.11 ± 2.76).
The presence of the ATNR was inversely correlated with catching and throwing competency. This correlation was only significant (r=.044; p <.05) for female throwing competency. Therefore, the null hypothesis was rejected.

Conclusions: The presence of the ATNR was associated with increased throwing and catching competency in females.
Clinical Relevance: These findings challenge thinking the ATNR needs to be integrated to facilitate mature motor development in children. Additional research needs to be completed including screening a wider age range of children and associations between the ATNR with academic skills and motor development,