The Effect of a Balance Training Program under Dual-Task Conditions on Working Memory of Children with Developmental Coordination Disability

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a selected balance training program under dual and single-task conditions on working memory of children with developmental coordination disorder. The research method was semi-experimental and a pre-test-post-test- follow-up design with a control group. In this study, 39 boys with DCD were selected by the available sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups: Dual-task training (n=13), single-task training (n=13), and control (n=13). The two experimental groups performed a selected training program with two different conditions for 8 weeks. All subjects were evaluated in three stages of pre-test, post-test and follow-up test (two months after post-test) by the Corsi block-tapping test (working memory test). Data analysis using ANOVA with the repeated measure as well as one-way ANCOVA showed that in the post-test, working memory in dual-task group was superior to both single and control groups (P <0.05). Also, a significant difference was observed from pre-test to post-test in all experimental groups except the single task group in the extended block index and the control group. In the follow-up test, this superior was maintained only in the overall score index and the overall effort. Also, the single-task group was superior to the control group in the post-test (P <0.05). Due to the importance of executive function, using this selected exercise program to improve working memory can be a useful tool and is suggested for this group of children

The Effect of Two Types of Ebbinghaus Visual Illusion on Learning a Motor Skill in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of visual illusion on the learning of throwing skills in autism children. The research method was semi-experimental with repeated design and retention test. The statistical sample of this study was 33 children of 10 years old who were selected available and were divided into three groups randomly: larger circle perceptions, smaller circle perceptions and control group. The tool used in this study was the Ebbinghaus illusion displayed on the ground and the beanbags for throwing from down to shoulder to goal. At first, the participants performed ten trials at the pre-test phase. Then, in the acquisition phase, 20 blocks completed 10 trials. 48 hours after the last session of the acquisition, a retention test was performed in 10 trials of the participant. To analyze the data, mixed analysis of variance analysis with repeated measures, one way analysis of variance and Tukey's follow-up were used. The results of this study showed that there was a significant difference between the groups both in the acquisition phase and in the retention phase between the groups, which this difference was in favor of the larger circle's perception group. Overall, the results of this study showed that a simple perceptual manipulation can increase motor learning in children with autism. Therefore, it is suggested to educators and sports practitioners to use this variable to improve their performance and improve their training sessions

Validity and Reliability of the Test of Gross Motor Development - 3 in Children Aged 5 to 9 years in Iraq and a Comparison of the Development of Gross Motor Skills of Iranian and Iraqi Children

The aim of the study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Iraqi version of the Gross Motor Development Test - Third Edition TGMD-3 in Iraqi children aged 5 to 9 years. The second aim of this study was to compare the development of gross motor skills of Iranian and Iraqi children. The participants were selected from 400 people by cluster sampling method from Iraq and were evaluated using TGMD-3 test. Finally, 30 Iraqis in the age group of 8-9 years were randomly selected and compared with a similar group of 30 Iranian children. Cronbach's alpha, Pearson correlation coefficient, factor analysis and t-test were used to analyze the data. Internal consistency reliability coefficients for locomotor, ball skills and total scores were 0.77, 0.85 and 0.87; test-retest reliability coefficients were 0.89, 0.90 and 0.91; inter-rater reliability coefficients were 0.77, 0.85 and 0.88; intera-rater coefficients were 0.66, 0.80 and 0.84, respectively. Also, there was no significant difference between the performance of Iranian and Iraqi children in the subtests of locomotor and ball skills and the total score of gross motor skills (P <0.05). Due to the confirmation of validity and reliability, this test can be used with confidence to evaluate the development of gross motor skills. The results obtained are limited to the Iraqi boy community of 5 to 9 years, and additional studies are needed in the future for use in the girl community and other age groups