Postural balance under sensory manipulation predicted fine and gross motor skills in children from 5 to 6 years of age.

AIM: Our aim was to identify predictors of fine and gross motor skills at 5-6 years of age using postural balance under sensory manipulation. METHODS: This study was conducted during the 2021-2022 academic year and focused on 112 children from three preschools in Tunisia, with roughly the same socio-economic status. Postural balance was assessed with their eyes open and closed on both firm and foam surfaces and motor skills were measured using the short version of Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (Bot-2). Multiple linear regression analysis with stepwise backward selection was used to find a simplified model that best explained the data. RESULTS: Postural balance accounted for 11% of the total variation in fine motor skills, except for the eyes open firm condition, 10% of the gross motor skills and about 14% of the total Bot-2 score. The eyes open foam condition was the only significant contributor to the gross motor skills model and the overall motor score. CONCLUSION: Assessing postural balance assessment at 5-6 years of age may predict motor skills. It may be useful for monitoring early child development and designing physical activity programmes for this age group.

Reference values of postural balance in preschoolers: Age and gender differences for 4-5 years old Tunisian children.

BACKGROUND: Preschool age is a critical stage of postural balance development. Posturography normative data during this age are crucial for surveillance of postural balance and for the timely diagnosis of any dysfunction. The aim of this study was to provide normative data, specific to Tunisian preschoolers, according to age and gender, and to examine gender- and age-related differences in postural balance. RESEARCH QUESTION: Are there postural balance gender- and age-related differences in Tunisian preschoolers? METHODS: The study included 410 (205 boys and 205 girls) preschool children aged between 4- and 5-year-old selected within a large geographic area of Tunisia. Postural balance was assessed using a stabilometric platform under 4 sensory conditions. The mean center of pressure velocity (CoP-V) parameter was selected for analysis. Differences between gender and age groups were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U. Normative data were expressed in percentiles. RESULTS: Significant gender effect was found in conditions where sensory inputs are most challenged with a significantly smaller mean CoP-V in girls compared to boys (p < 0.05). Moreover, 5-year-old children had significantly better postural balance than 4-year-old ones in almost all conditions (p < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: The normative data established for Tunisian preschoolers provide useful comparative data for pediatricians, teachers and coaches for the early evaluation and monitoring of postural balance during this age. Gender and age-related differences should be considered in this population.