The effect of eight weeks perceptual-motor exercises on static balance, dynamic balance and power of 8-10 year-old children

Background: This quasi-experimental study was conducted to analyze the effect of 8 weeks perceptual-motor exercises on static balance, dynamic balance and power of the 8-10 year-old children. Materials and methods: The statistical society comprised of the primary school students from the northern and southern parts of Kermanshah, who were studying in the academic year of 2012-2013. The study sample included 320 students that were randomly divided into active (experimental) and inactive (control) groups. First, all the participants took a pre-test, then the experimental group performed perceptual-motor exercises for 8 weeks (24 sessions) and finally, a post-test was run on both groups. Lincoln-Ozeretski test was applied on the students to see whether perceptual-motor exercises improved the static balance, dynamic balance and power of the children. Data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 19) using descriptive and inferential statistics. Independent t-test was used to determine the difference between themeans of the active and inactive groups and dependent t-test was applied to determine the difference between the pre-test and post-test. Result and discussion: The results indicated the increase of static balance, dynamic balance and power of the active group compared to inactive group. Also, no significant difference was found in terms of gender. According to the findings of the study, it can be argued that perceptual-motor exercises can enhance the children’s balance and power. Conclusion: Thus, given the importance of the balance and power in daily activities and performing sports skills, it seems essential for the children perform perceptual-motor exercises to promote their power and balance

The effect of eight weeks perceptual-motor exercises on static balance, dynamic balance and power of 8-10 year-old children Keywords:

Perceptual-motor exercises , static balance , dynamic balance , power , Lincoln-Ozeretski test