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Published on: September 18, 2017
Motor coordination in school-aged children with different nutritional statuses following a non-immersive virtual
Ana Patrícia Da Silva Souza1,2,3, Sandra Lopes De Souza1, Maria Eduarda Rodrigues Alves Dos Santos1,3
1Postgraduate Program in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center of Medical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
Insights
This study found that a virtual reality game did not improve gross motor coordination in children. Sedentary behavior remained high, emphasizing the need for public health initiatives promoting childhood motor stimulation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Motor Development
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Low motor coordination in children is linked to reduced physical activity and increased weight gain.
- Enjoyable physical activities can enhance children's engagement and overall activity levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a non-immersive virtual reality game on gross motor coordination in children.
- To compare sedentary behavior duration across different nutritional status groups post-intervention.
Main Methods:
- A quasi-experimental study involving 56 children aged 5-9 years over eight weeks.
- Assessed socioeconomic, anthropometric, motor coordination, and sedentary behavior data.
- Utilized repeated-measures ANOVA and Spearman correlation for analysis.
Main Results:
- The virtual reality intervention showed no significant effect on gross motor coordination between groups.
- A negative correlation was found between age and motor coordination at baseline and post-intervention.
- Sedentary behavior time did not significantly differ between the groups.
Conclusions:
- The virtual reality game protocol did not improve children's motor coordination.
- Younger children exhibited better motor coordination, and sedentary behavior was consistently high.
- Public health strategies promoting regular motor stimulation are crucial for childhood development.
Introduction:
Children with low motor coordination tend to engage in less physical activity. They are more likely to gain weight, establishing a bidirectional relationship, as weight gain may further restrict their participation in physical activity. When opportunities for physical activity are enjoyable, the likelihood of children's engagement increases, which may lead to higher levels of physical activity.
Aim:
To examine the effects of a non-immersive virtual reality game protocol on gross motor coordination in children with different nutritional statuses, and specifically, to compare sedentary behavior time between groups.
Methods:
In a quasi-experimental study, a non-immersive virtual reality game protocol was implemented for eight weeks in children aged 5 to 9 years from municipal public schools. Socioeconomic, anthropometric, motor coordination, and sedentary behavior time data were assessed.
Results:
Fifty-six children from five schools completed the study, with a mean age of 6.86 ± 1.51 years; 26 were girls (46.42%). Repeated-measures ANOVA showed no significant effect between groups (p = 0.149, η2p = 0.149). A negative Spearman correlation was observed between age and motor coordination at baseline (r = -0.627; p < 0.001) and at post-intervention assessment (r = -0.538; p < 0.001). Sedentary behavior time did not differ between groups (Welch's ANOVA: p = 0.568).
Conclusion:
The intervention did not affect motor coordination. Younger children demonstrated better motor coordination, and sedentary behavior time was high and similar among the children. These findings highlight the importance of public health strategies that provide regular and adequate motor stimulation during childhood.
