Community Health Journal

Community Health Journal

Comparing the Effects of Skill and Perceptual-Motor Training on Functional-Executive Tests for Preschool Children

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
A Hasani sosehab 1
A Mostafaloo 2
A Mansouri 3
1 MSc. Department of Educational Sciences GKM.C, Islamic Azad University, Gonbad Kavoos, Iran
2 Department of Physical Education, GKM.C, Islamic Azad University, Gonbad Kavoos, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Persian Literature, Tehran Branch, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran
10.22123/chj.2026.542145.2217
Abstract
Introduction: Preschool is one of the most sensitive stages of children's development that shapes their motor abilities and executive function. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of skill and perceptual-motor training on functional-executive tests for preschool children.
Materials and Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study, and the intervention was conducted for eight weeks. The statistical population (n=528) included preschool children in the 2022-2023 academic year in Marave Tape City. For this purpose, 36 six-year-old children were randomly divided into three groups: perceptual-motor exercises (n=12), skills exercises (n=12), and control (n=12). The intervention groups received designated exercise programs, and the control group performed daily classroom activities. Static balance, dynamic balance, and pair-legged jump tests were used to measure executive function. In order to examine the research hypotheses and compare the differences between the groups, multivariate analysis of covariance and the Bonferroni post-hoc test were used.
Results: The results showed that after adjusting for the pre-test effect, the intervention significantly increased static balance (p≤0.05), pair jumping (p<0.001), and dynamic balance (heel-to-toe walking and timed get-up-and-go test) (p<0.001) in children.
Conclusion: These findings indicated that the targeted use of coherent and systematic motor programs can strengthen the coordination between children's nervous, muscular, and sensory systems and accelerate the development of their basic motor skills and balance. Finally, the design and implementation of such programs can pave the way for better success for children in later educational stages and improve their physical and mental health.
Keywords
Perceptual-motor training
Skill training
Executive function tests
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Community Health Journal
Volume 19, Issue 4
Spring 2025
Pages 27-40