Prevalence of fundamental movement skill proficiency among Iranian children aged 2.5-14 years.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of fundamental movement skill (FMS) proficiency among a sample of Iranian children. DESIGN: Cross sectional, representative sample of 2200 children aged 2.5-14 years (50% girls), living in Tehran in 2018. METHODS: Trained field staff assessed 7 locomotor and 4 object control skills in educational settings using the Ohio State University Scale of Intra-Gross Motor Assessment (OSU-SIGMA). Scores for levels 1-3 represent immature performance and level 4 represents proficiency. Data were analyzed by age and sex. RESULTS: Overall, proficiency prevalences were higher in boys than girls. Proficiency in walking and running emerged in children from age 2.5 years, and proficiency in more complex locomotor skills (i.e., jumping, skipping, hopping, ladder-climbing) and object control skills emerged at age 6 years. The prevalence of proficiency in hopping, jumping, skipping and all object control skills were low in children aged <9 years. All children aged ≥9 years were proficient in all locomotor skills. At age 9 years, the prevalence of object control proficiency were high for throwing (boys 100%, girls 89%), catching (boys 89%, girls 65%), striking (boys 69%, girls 53%) and low for kicking (boys 45%, girls 41%). All children ≥11 years were proficient in all FMS except kicking (boys 61%, girls 55%). CONCLUSIONS: FMS proficiency were age and sex related with proficiency in most skills emerging around age 6 years. All children aged ≥11 years were proficient in all FMS, except kicking. The findings may be useful to guide the development of intervention programs in Iranian children aged 2.5-10 years.

The development of postural control among children: Repeatability and normative data for computerized dynamic posturography system.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the normal development of postural control in children aged 2-18 years in Tehran, and to provide normative data of computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) device variables. METHODS: The study population included 400 boys and 400 girls aged 2-18 years (eight age groups with 2-year interval) and 100 adults aged 22-25 years. In each age group, 100 people were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. To evaluate the postural control of the subjects, the sensory organization test (SOT) was performed by using a CDP. RESULTS: The results of this study led to the determination and presentation of normative data for the development of postural control in boys, girls and children aged 2-18 years. The results related to the repeatability of data produced by the CDP, thereby showing that this system is highly reliable. The results of an independent t-test also showed that girls across all age groups performed better than boys (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated a nonlinear trend of natural development of postural control. Overall, according to the results of the present study, it seems that like adults, 14-16 year-old teens are capable of processing, integrating and organizing sensory systems information for postural control.

The effect of low and moderate intensity aerobic exercises on sleep quality in men older adults.

OBJECTIVE: Sleep is an active and complex rhythmic state that may be affected by the aging process. The purpose of present research was to investigate the effect of low and moderate intensity aerobic exercises on sleep quality in older adults. METHODS: The research method is quasi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design. The statistical sample included 45 volunteer elderly men with age range of 60-70 years-old that divided randomly in two experimental groups (aerobic exercise with low and moderate intensity) and one control group. In each group selected 15 older adults based on inclusion and exclusion criteria (such as, without sleep apnea, not smoking, and no taking hypnotic drugs). First, all subjects were evaluated by a doctor to confirm their physical and mental health. Also, the maximum heart rate (MaxHR) of subjects was obtained by subtracting one's age from 220. Furthermore, based on aerobic exercise type (40-50% MaxHR for low intensity group and 60-70% MaxHR for moderate intensity group) the target MaxHR was calculated for each subject. The exercise protocol consisted of 8 weeks aerobic exercises (2 sessions in per-week) based on Rockport one-mile walking/running test and the control group continued their daily activities. All subjects in per-test and post-test stages completed the Petersburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS: In pre-test stage, results showed that there were no significant differences between control and experimental groups in sleep quality and its components (P>0.05). On the other hand, results in post-test stage showed that there were significant differences between control and experimental groups in these variables (P<0.05). Also, the Tukey Post Hoc showed that the moderate intensity group scores in total sleep quality and its components were better than other groups (P<0.05). Finally, the low intensity group scores in total sleep quality and its components were better than control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Generally, the present research showed that the aerobic exercises with moderate intensity (60-70% MaxHR) have a positive and significant effect on sleep quality and its components. Thus, based on these findings, the aerobic exercises with moderate intensity is a useful to improve the sleep quality and its components among community older adults were recommended.