The Effect of Early Exercise Interventions on Gross Motor Skills of Children with Preterm Birth Aged ۳ to ۶ Years

​​ Background and Objective: Human development is influenced by genetic, environmental, and social factors whose foundation is formed from infancy and childhood. Preterm birth and low birth weight are important issues that can affect the development and threaten the public health. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of early exercise interventions on gross motor skills of children with preterm birth aged ۳ to ۶ years. Material and Methods: In this Experimental study, ۳۰ children with average (۲۰۶۶ ±۳۵۴g) were selected from among the preterm infants (۳۲ to ۳۷ weeks less than ۲۵۰۰ g) admitted to NICU ward. They were divided into two groups (experimental group n=۱۵ and control group n=۱۵ children).To evaluate the gross motor skills of children, the second version of the Peabody developmental motor scale was used. The results were analyzed by SPSS using ANCOVA test (p≤۰.۰۵). Results: The results of this study showed that early interventions can have a positive effect on the gross motor skills of these children and the participants in the experimental group were able to obtain higher scores than the control group after participating in the training program. Conclusion: The results showed that training interventions have a significant effect on both stability and locomotion skills.

Keywords:

Premature Birth , Growth and Development , Early Medical Intervention , Locomotion