Introduction: One of the comorbid alterations of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects motricity, to the point where the quality of motor performance during the first 5-6 years of life could constitute a predictor of the later appearance of symptoms of the disorder. Moreover, the association between motor clumsiness and ADHD results in a poorer prognosis of the condition. Nevertheless, few studies have examined the evolution of motricity in children affected with this pathology.
Aim: To characterise the psychomotor profile of children between 5 and 12 years of age who were clinically diagnosed with ADHD in the town of Manizales (Colombia) and to compare it with healthy children of the same age.
Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 846 children (422 diagnosed with ADHD and 424 healthy controls).
Results: Although the values for all the motricity factors were within ranges that are considered to be normal, they were significantly poorer (p < 0.000) in diagnosed children at all ages.
Conclusions: The psychomotor profile of children diagnosed with ADHD was eupraxic and is classified within the same category as the healthy children, although quantitatively it was lower.