Search Results (280)

Background/Objectives: Vision plays a key role in acquiring and automating fundamental movement skills. Evidence from Italy is scarce. This study compared Test of Gross Motor Development–2 (TGMD-2) performance between Italian children with visual impairment (VI) and sighted peers and explored differences by degree of VI (severe VI vs. blindness). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study including 38 children (VI: n = 19, 5–12 y; sighted: n = 19, 5–11 y). VI was classified per the WHO criteria. TGMD-2 was administered with adaptations suitable for VI (e.g., high-contrast cones, auditory balls, verbal cueing). Group differences (VI vs. sighted; blindness vs. severe VI; severe VI vs. sighted) were analyzed with Mann–Whitney U (α = 0.05). For participants > 10 y, raw scores were analyzed and age-equivalent scores were summarized to calculate developmental gaps. Results: Children with VI scored lower than sighted peers on locomotor, object control, and total TGMD-2 scores (all p < 0.001). Within VI, blindness was associated with lower locomotor, object control, and total scores than severe VI (p = 0.013; p = 0.043; p = 0.013). Children with severe VI also scored lower than sighted peers across outcomes (all p < 0.001). Based on age-equivalent estimates, average gross motor performance in VI was ~4–5 years below chronological age; values < 3 years were set to 3 years for calculation (the floor effect). Conclusions: Italian children with VI show reduced gross motor competence compared with sighted peers, with a substantial developmental lag. Findings support early adapted physical education and structured movement opportunities to promote participation and inclusion. Future studies should examine long-term outcomes and contextual factors shaping motor competence in youth with VI. Full article

The pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor 1 (PAC1) plays a pivotal role in central nervous system development and homeostasis. Comparisons of PAC1 knockout (PAC1^−/−), heterozygous (PAC1^+/−) and wild-type (PAC1^+/+) mice demonstrate that PAC1 deficiency severely impairs pre-weaning survival and results in marked developmental deficits, including reduced postnatal weight and altered locomotor behavior. PAC1^−/− mice exhibited hyperlocomotion, reduced anxiety-like behavior, and transient deficits in motor coordination. Gene expression analyses revealed widespread dysregulation of oligodendrocyte-associated markers, with significant myelin reduction and decreased mature oligodendrocyte density in the corpus callosum. ER stress was evidenced in both white matter and motor cortex, as indicated by altered expression of UPR-related genes and increased phosphorylated (p)IRE1⁺ neurons. Retinal morphology was compromised in PAC1^−/− animals, with reduced overall retinal and ganglion cell layer thickness. Notably, no gross morphological or molecular abnormalities were detected in the spinal cord regarding myelin content or MBP expression; however, synaptic marker expression was selectively reduced in the ventral horn of PAC1-deficient mice. Together, these findings highlight a critical role for PAC1 in oligodendrocyte maturation, retinal development, and synaptogenesis, providing new insights with relevance in multiple sclerosis and other neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Functional abilities are fundamental for social participation. However, functional abilities assessment tools validated for children/and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment are lacking. A preliminary validation of the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) scale for children with cancer found that some items are unable to discriminate or distinguish between different gross motor function levels. This study aims to develop and validate the Functional Abilities Assessment in Paediatric Oncology (FAAP-O), starting with GMFM-88. Methods: This multicentre study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04862130) involved children and adolescents (6 months–18 years old) diagnosed with cancer, in any phase of treatment or less than 1 year of therapy. A multiphase mixed-methods design was employed. The content validity of each item of GMFM-88 for the paediatric oncology population was calculated with the Content Validity Ratio (CVR). Items with a CVR score > 0.70 were included in the FAAP-O scale. Other items with a score between 0 and 0.70 were selected for their relevance by consensus with five focus groups and a plenary meeting. The FAAP-O items set was organised in five dimensions by exploratory factor analyses. The calculation of FAAP-O internal consistency was made using Cronbach’s α while and inter/intra-rater reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Results: The study involved 217 subjects. The FAAP-O included 36 items; its internal consistency was good in each dimension (0.90 ≤ α ≤ 0.96) and its inter/intra-rater reliability was excellent (ICC > 0.90). Conclusions: A new specifically validated scale to assess functional abilities in children and adolescents with cancer is provided. Validated tools are necessary for specific, objective rehabilitation assessments, which are fundamental in clinical practice and research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Children, caregivers, and physicians may be insufficiently aware of the effect(s) of physical activity levels on the quality of life (QoL) of children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study aimed to understand the levels of physical activity of school-age children with CP compared with typically developing (TD) peers, and to examine the relationship between physical activity levels and the QoL of children with CP. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of children with CP and TD children aged 6–12 years. Parents of children with CP completed a four-section survey: demographic information, parent-reported Gross Motor Functional Classification System, physical activity, and the CP-QoL questionnaire. Parents of TD children completed the demographic and physical activity sections. To account for the severity of motor impairment associated with CP, further analysis was conducted to compare QoL between the ambulant and non-ambulant groups of children with CP. Results: Eighty-two participants were included in the analysis: 42 children with CP and 40 TD children (8.29 ± 1.79 years; 8.35 ± 1.76 years). The lowest QoL domain scores were access to service, pain, and effect(s) of disability. Children with CP reported similar physical activity levels to those of the TD children. Physical activity levels were associated with the general QoL score, and feeling-social domains of QoL. Conclusion: Our findings support the positive prediction of high physical activity levels with QoL among school-aged children with CP. Full article

Infants discriminate faces early in the first year, but research on infants’ discrimination of bodies is plagued by mixed findings. Using a familiarisation novelty preference method, we investigated 7- and 9-month-old infants’ discrimination of body postures presented in upright and inverted orientations, and with and without heads, along with relationships with gross and fine motor development. In our initial studies, 7-month-old infants discriminated upright headless postures with forward-facing and about-facing images. Eye tracking revealed that infants looked at the bodies of the upright headless postures the longest and at the heads of upright whole figures for 60–70% of the time regardless of the presence of faces, suggesting that heads detract attention from bodies. In a more stringent test, with similarly complex limb positions between test items, infants could not discriminate postures. With longer trials, the 7-month-olds demonstrated a familiarity preference for the upright whole figures, and the 9-month-olds demonstrated a novelty preference, albeit with a less robust effect. Unlike previous studies, we found that better gross motor skills were related to the 7-month-olds’ better discrimination of upright headless postures compared to inverted postures. The 9-month-old infants’ lower gross and fine motor skills were associated with a stronger preference for inverted compared to upright whole figures. This is further evidence of a configural representation of bodies in infancy, but it is constrained by an upper bias (heads in upright figures, feet in inverted), the test item similarity, and the trial duration. The measure and type of motor development reveals differential relationships with infants’ representations of bodies. Full article

This study aimed to compare cognitive, language, and motor development outcomes among children attending public and private Early Childcare Centers (ECCs), considering birth factors and family and daycare environments. Additionally, it examined the proximal and distal factors influencing children’s development. Cognitive, language, and motor skills were assessed in the children, along with evaluations of ECC quality, teacher practices, and knowledge of child development. Results indicated that children enrolled in public ECCs achieved higher scores in cognitive and language development, despite coming from families with lower socioeconomic status and having lower birth weights. They also benefited from longer periods of breastfeeding. Teachers in public ECCs demonstrated greater daily practices, providing enhanced movement opportunities for children. Private ECCs offered more suitable outdoor spaces, whereas public ECCs had better indoor spaces. Regression analysis revealed that daily practice, teachers’ experience, and the availability of gross motor toys explained 41% of the variance in motor development. The duration of breastfeeding explained 24% of the variance in cognitive development. Teachers’ knowledge about children’s development and attendance at public ECCs explained 31% of the variance in language development. These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing teacher education in both public and private ECCs to optimize children’s overall development. Full article

Background: Motor performance in childhood predicts physical fitness, cognitive capacity, socio-emotional development, and academic success. Parenting styles are especially important to such performance in the preschool period, as children’s gross motor abilities are shaped in part by their interactions with parents. Young children’s physical activity is also declining as they spend more time on screens. Methods: This quantitative survey-based study examined the relationships among 252 preschoolers’ gross motor skills, their tendency to become addicted to digital games, and their parents’ parenting styles. Results: The sampled preschoolers’ gross motor skill development and game addiction tendencies were both low, while the participating parents reported high levels of democratic and overprotective parenting attitudes, low levels of authoritarian ones, and moderate levels of permissive ones. Motor skills were not associated with children’s addiction tendency or parents’ democratic (also known as authoritative), authoritarian, or permissive styles. However, overprotective parenting was positively and significantly associated with gross motor skill scores. While no significant relationship was found between children’s digital game addiction tendencies and their parents’ adoption of a democratic parenting style, such tendencies were positively and statistically correlated with the authoritarian and permissive parenting styles. One dimension of such tendencies, constant gameplay, was also positively and significantly correlated with overprotective parenting. Conclusions: Although the participating children’s digital game addiction tendencies were low, the findings indicate that parents and carers should guide children to reduce their screen time and promote increased interaction with their surroundings and other people to mitigate screen time’s known negative effects on gross motor coordination. Full article

Strong competencies in actual motor competence (AMC) and perceived motor competence (PMC) support lifelong physical activity. However, assessing MC is time-consuming, requiring multiple AMC and PMC evaluations. Streamlining these assessments would improve efficiency at a national level. This study used machine learning (ML) classification to (1) identify AMC assessments that can be accurately predicted in an Irish context using other AMC and PMC assessments, and (2) examine prediction accuracy differences between genders. AMC was measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development (3rd Edition) and the Victorian Fundamental Motor Skills Manual, while PMC was assessed with the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence. Five ML classification models were trained and tested on an Irish MC dataset (n = 2098, mean age 9.2 ± 2.04) to predict distinct AMC assessment outcomes. The highest prediction accuracies (>85%) were found for the Catch (female and gender-combined subsets) and Bounce (male subset) AMC assessments. These assessments could potentially be removed from the current Irish testing battery for their respective gender groups. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of ML classification in optimising Irish MC assessment procedures, reducing redundancy, and enhancing efficiency. Full article

Background/Objectives: Global levels of physical activity are in decline, accompanied by low levels of competence in fundamental movement skills (FMSs) required to meaningfully participate in lifelong physical activity. This study aimed to explore the effects of an 8-week pilot program on the development of FMSs for children in a lower socioeconomic area through a game-based physical activity approach. Methods: Children (N = 30) were recruited from a lower socioeconomic area to participate in a community-offered PA program. This 8-week pilot program focused on game-based intervention, with weekly 1.5 h sessions to promote active play and development of FMSs. Each session was structured to ensure at least one FMS based on the Test of Gross Motor Development—Third Edition (TGMD-3) was emphasized to promote practice in these skills. The TGMD-3 was employed as a pre- and post-test measure of motor competence. Results: Children who completed both the pre- and post-test assessments (N = 11) demonstrated improvements in both locomotor (p = 0.166) and ball skill (p = 0.184) scores, though these were not significant. Additional analyses at baseline with all participants (N = 22; 8 not present at baseline testing) were insignificant, but descriptive statistics demonstrated that boys scored higher in ball skill scores, while girls scored higher in locomotor skill scores. Older children at baseline were found to score significantly higher than younger children in ball skill scores. Conclusion: The results highlighted that the game-based intervention did demonstrate some improvements for FMSs, highlighting a need for further development of the program and the participation of more children for more strongly powered analysis and to account for program withdrawal or dropout. Full article

Background: Active play has been proposed to complement school-based physical activity (PA) and promote increased movement-related activities relevant for the development of motor competence. Guided active play (GAP) paired with cooperative games provides sufficient moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) to improve motor competence for younger children. Whether guided active play exhibits physical activity outputs that are related to motor competence is uncertain. This study assessed the strength of relationships between play-based physical activity and movement skills by comparing linear regression and chi-square analyses. Methods: Forty-two children (Mage = 8.8 ± 0.8 years) participated in a community center program. PA was measured via accelerometry for GAP, alongside assessments of anthropometrics, fitness (leg power, strength, VO₂max), and FMS (Test of Gross Motor Development-2). Multiple linear regression analysis examined reciprocal relationships. Chi-square and cross-tabulations analyzed categorical variables based on lab percentiles (low < 33%, high > 66%) for PA energy expenditure (PAEE), intensity (MVPA), FMS, and fitness. Results: GAP MVPA and object control skills (OC) showed positive reciprocal pathways (β = 0.308, β = 0.394; p ≤ 0.05). VO₂max predicted MVPA (β = 0.408; p < 0.01), with leg power related to PAEE (β = 0.456; p ≤ 0.01). Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between high OC skills and high PAEE (X² = 15.12, p ≤ 0.05), and high individual average scores of OC with high MVPA (X² = 11.90, p < 0.05. The high performance of AP and LP was associated with MVPA and PAEE, respectively. Conclusions: Findings support a positive feedback loop between MVPA and OC skills for GAP. GAP is an effective strategy for program interventions for children 8 to 10-year old. Full article

Background: The current study explores the relationship between children’s risk willingness and their motor behavior in a virtual playground setting and its association with perceived gross motor competence. Methods: A total of 96 children aged seven to ten participated. They were categorized into high-risk-willingness (HRW) and low-risk-willingness (LRW) groups based on their exploratory behavior and engagement with riskier zones and tasks in the playground. Using whole-body motion capture and virtual reality data, the children’s motor behavior and variability were analyzed alongside self-reported perceived gross motor competence. Results: The results indicated that HRW children displayed significantly greater movement variability, including higher joint movement variability and increased exploration of challenging areas compared to LRW children. HRW children also covered greater distances, moved faster, and exhibited more frequent acceleration changes. Conclusions: These findings suggest that higher risk willingness is associated with greater adaptability and flexibility in motor behavior, aligned with the concept of freeing degrees of freedom. In contrast, no significant differences were found in perceived gross motor competence ratings between HRW and LRW groups. This indicates that perceived motor competence may not directly influence children’s willingness to take risks or their motor behavior in exploratory play. These findings emphasize the importance of studying dynamic interactions between risk-taking, motor behavior, and self-perception to understand the development of adaptive motor skills through risky play. Full article

Background/Objectives: Iron plays an important role in cognitive, behavioral, and motor development. This study aims to assess the iron nutritional status of Bulgarian children with cerebral palsy (CP) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), focusing on iron deficiency (ID) and its impact on children’s development. We hypothesized that children with CP and ASD suffer from iron deficiency. Methods: The cross-sectional study includes 95 children from northeastern Bulgaria. Data were collected in two periods (2017–2018 and 2023–2024). Demographic questionnaires, food frequency questionnaires, and laboratory tests for hemoglobin, serum iron, serum ferritin, serum albumin, and CRP were conducted. Anthropometric measurements were evaluated. The Gross Motor Function Classification System scale was used to assess motor function in children with CP. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi software, ver. 2.6.44, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Of the 95 children, 62.1% had CP and 37.9% had ASD. Most children had normal hemoglobin and serum iron levels, but 62.7% of those with CP and 36.8% of those with ASD had low serum ferritin levels, indicating latent ID. A higher proportion of children with CP than those with ASD consumed meat daily, while fish was more commonly consumed by children with ASD. Anthropometric data showed delayed growth and lower height-for-age scores in children with CP. Conclusions: The study identifies latent ID in children with CP and ASD. An evaluation of dietary habits highlights the need for interventions to improve nutritional status and development. The observed deficiencies emphasize the need for regular monitoring and targeted dietary programs for children in these groups. Full article

Background: Motor Function Disorders (MFDs) are common conditions in children with cerebral palsy and closely related to muscle spasticity. Catgut Embedment in Acupoint (CEA) has shown promise as an important adjunctive therapy but current evidence remains insufficient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CEA in Pediatric-Cerebral-Palsy Motor Function Disorders (PCPMFDs). Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, four Chinese databases and two clinical trial registries were searched to include randomized controlled trials of patients with PCPMFDs treated with CEA combined with conventional rehabilitation. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4, Stata 18 and R Studio software 2025, and risk of bias was assessed for the included studies using the Cochrane Collaboration Network tool. Results: A total of 17 papers were included, including 1106 PCPMFDs patients with a wide range of conditions, age ≤ 9 years, and rehabilitation training mostly using Bobath/Vojta therapy. Meta-analysis showed that CEA was effective in improving MFDs with the Gross Motor Function Measure Scale (SMD, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.57 to 1.23], p < 0.0001) and the modified Ashworth Scale (MD, −0.40 [95% CI, −0.58 to −0.23], p < 0.0001). Preliminary results suggested that a treatment regimen, which consisted of three monthly sessions and lasted for one to two months, was most effective. Conclusions: CEA is an effective complementary treatment for patients with PCPMFDs with mild adverse effects. However, due to the relatively new perspective of this study, only a small number of researchers have focused on this area and conducted studies, resulting in fewer included studies meeting requirements, which is a direct result of the fact that this study, although informative, still requires a significant amount of research before clear evidence-based recommendations can be developed. Full article

Background/Objective: Children with disabilities experience greater participation restrictions in life activities than children without disabilities. This study aimed to explore differences in participation of children/youth with and without cerebral palsy (CP) across home, school, and community settings, and examine participation of children with CP across gross motor function levels, age groups, gender, and income levels. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study of parents of children with CP (n = 20) and without CP (n = 20) over a three-month period to investigate the frequency of participation/level of involvement across settings. Participation was assessed using the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth© (PEM-CY), a parent-report measure for children and youth, ages 5 to 17 that explores communication in home, school, and community environments. Results: Significantly greater frequency of participation at home and in the community was found in children without CP. Participation at school was not significantly different between the groups and there were no differences in level of involvement, gender, or income. In children with CP, motor function impacted participation in home and school, and age significantly influenced school participation. Conclusions: Participation in life activities is important for overall child development, health, and well-being; however, children with CP participate less than their typically developing peers. The ability to collect and analyze the frequency of participation and level of involvement across home, school, and community environments using one outcome measure provides valuable information for programming, intervention planning, and potential environment modifications that could improve participation in children with CP. Full article

Objectives: Different types of exercises that aim in the development of balance, motor function, and gait are necessary for patients with motor disorders. Equine-assisted therapy could play an important role in the rehabilitation of these participants. Methods: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects that equine-assisted therapy can exert on balance, motor function, spasticity, posture and gait, as well as quality of life on individuals with motor disorders. Clinical trials, published up to 20 April 2022, comparing equine-assisted therapy with conventional rehabilitation were systematically searched. Two independent reviewers performed data extraction and assessed the quality of studies using the Downs and Black quality assessment tool. Results: Out of 27 studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria for systematic review, 15 included appropriate data for further comparative meta-analysis. Statistically significant differences were found in Dimension E (walking, running, jumping) of Gross Motor Function Measure in children with CP (0.009) and in Time Up and Go in Elderly and post-stroke participants (p = 0.006). Specifically, children with CP improved in walking, running, and jumping, as well as improved mobility in the elderly. The systematic review showed that the intervention had positive results, as well as in other domains, even though these were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Equine-assisted therapy is beneficial for individuals with impairments in balance, gross motor function, gait, spasticity, and coordination. Full article