Preliminary Adaptation of Motor Tests to Evaluate Fine Motor Skills Associated with Mathematical Skills in Preschoolers.

Mathematics is the subject in which many school-age children reveal difficulties. The literature has shown that fine motor skills, namely fine motor coordination and visuomotor integration, have been more robustly associated with mathematical performance. Studies have shown the importance that instruments have to evaluate these skills, however, the characteristics of these instruments do not fit the reality of kindergartens, they are usually time consuming and expensive and are usually administered by specialists. Thus, the main objective of this study was to identify, select, adapt and validate motor tests to evaluate fine motor skills associated with mathematical skills to allow the kindergarten teachers to apply them simultaneously to the class, with few material resources, in a short period of time and without the need for a lot of training to apply, score and classify. For this purpose, firstly, it was necessary to understand the main difficulties highlighted by kindergarten teachers regarding the use of instruments to evaluate fine motor skills and, thus, elaborate criteria to identify and select the tests that best fit the reality of kindergartens. The test identified, selected and adapted to evaluate fine motor coordination was threading beads from the Movement Evaluation Battery for Children, 2nd Edition. The main adaptation of the test was related to time, that is, instead of counting the time it takes the child to string the total number of cubes on the string, we counted the number of cubes the child strung on the string in a pre-defined time. To evaluate visual-motor integration, the test identified, selected and adapted was the Visual-Motor Integration (6th Edition) test. The main adaptation was related to material resources, that is, it will be possible to apply the test using only one sheet per child instead of the seven suggested by the original test. After the preliminary adaptation of the tests, their validation was performed by means of the degree of reliability (test-retest) and predictive validity. The results indicated that the adapted tests presented an excellent degree of reliability (>0.9) and could therefore be used to administer them simultaneously to the class group. The adapted Visual-Motor Integration test seems to be the most suitable one to be used by kindergarten teachers, in a classroom context, to simultaneously evaluate students' fine motor skills and associate their results with mathematical skills.

Association between motor and math skills in preschool children with typical development: Systematic review.

Mathematics has been the subject in which many school-age children have revealed many difficulties. Research carried out in an attempt to understand the causes of failure in this area pointed to a positive association between mathematical performance and motor performance. Given the importance of math development in future school outcomes, knowing which specific motor components are most associated with math performance can help educators define better strategies for teaching mathematics. In this sense, the present systematic review study aimed to identify the components of motor skills most positively associated with mathematical performance in children with typical development who attend preschool. The PRISMA methodology (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) was used in this study. The databases searched were ERIC, PubMED, SciELO, Scopus and Web of Science. A total of 2,909 articles were identified, of which 18 were included in this systematic review. The main results showed positive associations between fine motor skills, namely fine motor coordination and visuomotor integration, and mathematical performance. The math skill of numerical counting was the most associated with FMS. The main characteristics of the instruments used showed that the tasks of copying figures or drawings are the most used to assess visuomotor integration and the tasks of handling objects with pinch-like movements are the most used to assess fine motor coordination. Given the importance of mathematical performance in future school results, identifying early children with difficulties in fine motor skills will help educators to design better strategies for teaching mathematical skills. In this sense, the need to identify instruments to assess fine motor skills in preschool children with characteristics that facilitate their administration by the educator in the classroom context, i.e., requiring little administration time, not requiring much experience or training, the possibility of being administered to the group/class, few material resources, and the results can be easily interpreted, classified, and associated with mathematical performance.

Autoimagem corporal e prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade em estudantes universitários / Body self-image and prevalence of overweight and obesity in university students

Objetivo: Investigar o sobrepeso/obesidade, a autopercepção da imagem corporal de universitários e as associações entre essas variáveis com características sociodemográficas, vinculadas à Universidade e aos comportamentos relacionados à saúde. Métodos: Estudo transversal, exploratório e quantitativo, realizado entre janeiro e fevereiro de 2017, com 324 universitários das áreas da Saúde, Exatas e Humanas. Utilizou-se questionário de Indicadores de Saúde e Qualidade de Vida de Acadêmicos para avaliar características sociodemográficas, vínculo com a universidade e comportamentos relacionados à saúde. Avaliou-se a autopercepção da imagem corporal, através da escala de silhuetas, e o estado nutricional, pelo índice de massa corporal. Realizaram-se análises descritivas e regressão Logística Multinominal. Resultados: A prevalência de sobrepeso/obesidade foi de 43,2% (n= 141) e de insatisfação com a imagem corporal foi de 76,5% (n= 248). As universitárias apresentaram maiores chances de sobrepeso e obesidade (IC 95%:1,0-2,7; p 0,03). Os estudantes casados (IC 95%:1,8-5,9; p 0,01), que trabalham (IC 95%:1,4-3,7; p 0,01), com renda igual ou superior a um salário mínimo (IC 95%:1,4-4,8; p 0,01), tiveram maior chance de sobrepeso. O estado de saúde regular relacionou-se com maior insatisfação com a imagem corporal (IC 95%:1,4-5,7; p 0,01). A melhor aptidão física associou-se com menor chance de insatisfação corporal (IC 95%: 0,06-0,47; p 0,01). Conclusão: Elevada prevalência de sobrepeso/obesidade e de insatisfação com a imagem corporal entre os universitários. Existe associação da prevalência de sobrepeso com faixa etária, sexo, estado civil, trabalho, renda, consumo de carne vermelha, assim como entre a autopercepção da imagem corporal com a autopercepção do estado de saúde, aptidão física e turno de estudo. (AU)

Factors predicting sensory profile of 4 to 18 month old infants / Fatores preditores do perfil sensorial de lactentes dos 4 aos 18 meses de idade

OBJECTIVE: To identify environment factors predicting sensory profile of infants between 4 and 18 months old. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 97 infants (40 females e 57 males), with a mean age of 1.05±0.32 years with the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants (TSFI) and also asked 97 parents and 11 kindergarten teachers of seven daycare centers to answer the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development-Infant Scale (AHEMD-IS). The AHEMD-IS is a questionnaire that characterizes the opportunities in the home environment for infants between 3 and 18 months of age. We tested the association between affordances and the sensory profile of infants. Significant variables were entered into a regression model to determine predictors of sensory profile. RESULTS: The majority of infants (66%) had a normal sensory profile and 34% were at risk or deficit. Affordances in the home were classified as adequate and they were good in the studied daycare centers. The results of the regression revealed that only daily hours in daycare center and daycare outside space influenced the sensory profile of infants, in particular the Ocular-Motor Control component. CONCLUSIONS: The sensory profile of infants was between normal and at risk. While the family home offered adequate affordances for motor development, the daycare centers of the infants involved demonstrated a good quantity and quality of affordances. Overall, we conclude that daily hours in the daycare center and daycare outside space were predictors of the sensory profile, particular on Ocular-Motor Control component.

OBJETIVO: Identificar os fatores ambientais preditores do perfil sensorial de lactentes dos quatro aos 18 meses de idade. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com 97 lactentes (40 do sexo feminino e 57 do masculino), com idade média de 1,05±0,32, aos quais foi aplicado o Test of Sensory Functions in Infants. Responderam ao questionário Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development-Infant Scale 97 pais e 11 educadoras de sete creches, de forma a caracterizar o contexto familiar e de creche, e relacionou-se ao perfil sensorial dos bebês. O AHEMD-IS é um questionário que caracteriza as oportunidades no ambiente para crianças entre três e 18 meses de idade. As variáveis que apresentaram uma associação significante foram incluídas no modelo de regressão linear para determinar os fatores preditores do perfil sensorial. RESULTADOS: A maioria dos bebês (66%) apresentou um perfil sensorial normal e 34% deles encontram-se em risco ou em déficit (com problemas sensoriais). As oportunidades de estimulação na habitação foram classificadas como suficientes e nas creches foram avaliadas como boas. Os resultados da regressão revelaram que apenas os fatores "horas diárias na creche" e "espaço exterior de creche" influenciaram o perfil sensorial dos bebês, notadamente o controle oculomotor. CONCLUSÕES: O perfil sensorial dos bebês situou-se entre o normal e em risco. O contexto familiar oferece oportunidades de estimulação suficientes e as creches demonstraram ter boas oportunidades. As horas diárias em creche e o espaço exterior em creche foram os preditores do perfil sensorial no controle oculomotor.

[Factors predicting sensory profile of 4 to 18 month old infants]. / Fatores preditores do perfil sensorial de lactentes dos 4 aos 18 meses de idade.

OBJECTIVE: To identify environment factors predicting sensory profile of infants between 4 and 18 months old. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 97 infants (40 females e 57 males), with a mean age of 1.05±0.32 years with the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants (TSFI) and also asked 97 parents and 11 kindergarten teachers of seven daycare centers to answer the Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development- Infant Scale (AHEMD-IS). The AHEMD-IS is a questionnaire that characterizes the opportunities in the home environment for infants between 3 and 18 months of age. We tested the association between affordances and the sensory profile of infants. Significant variables were entered into a regression model to determine predictors of sensory profile. RESULTS: The majority of infants (66%) had a normal sensory profile and 34% were at risk or deficit. Affordances in the home were classified as adequate and they were good in the studied daycare centers. The results of the regression revealed that only daily hours in daycare center and daycare outside space influenced the sensory profile of infants, in particular the Ocular-Motor Control component. CONCLUSIONS: The sensory profile of infants was between normal and at risk. While the family home offered adequate affordances for motor development, the daycare centers of the infants involved demonstrated a good quantity and quality of affordances. Overall, we conclude that daily hours in the daycare center and daycare outside space were predictors of the sensory profile, particular on Ocular-Motor Control component.

Análise da interação entre o estresse, imagem corporal e coordenação motora grossa em escolares do gênero masculino de 7 a 10 anos do município de Cacoal/RO / Analysis of the interaction between stress, body image and gross motor coordination in male scholars of 7 to 10 years from Cacoal city/RO

A coordenação motora é a capacidade do cérebro de equilibrar seus movimentos, mais especificamente dos músculos e das articulações. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a interação entre a imagem corporal, o estresse e a coordenação motora grossa em escolares. O artigo é caracterizado como sendo de campo, ainda tem características descritivas. Tendo um perfil de pesquisa Quali-Quantitativo. Para obtenção dos dados relacionado à aprendizagem motora foi utilizado o Teste Of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2), elaborado por Ulrich (2000) e validado por Valentini (2002). Para a variável Imagem Corporal foi utilizado o protocolo de Collins (1991) e finalmente para a variável Estresse foi utilizado o protocolo de Lipp (1991). No que se refere a correlação entre a imagem corporal real e ideal destes escolares e a habilidade motora, seja ela de locomoção, de controle e total, foi possível verificar correlações positivas entre elas onde Stress x Coordenação motora teve uma relação de 0,21 e p=0,0045, a Imagem corporal real com a coordenação motora mostrou uma relação de 0,25 e p=0,0164 e por fim quando relacionado a coordenação motora com a imagem ideal o valor ficou em 0,21 e p=0,0145, verificando assim uma significância entre essas variáveis, ou seja, p< 0,05. Isso mostra que de alguma maneira a auto percepção destes escolares com relação a imagem corporal esta interferindo na sua habilidade motora. O desenvolvimento motor é afetado por fatores psicológicos, porém, é válido lembrar que infinidades de elementos interagindo entre si são influenciadores na habilidade motora. Com isso o desenvolvimento motor corresponde a um processo em que o organismo estabelece interação com o meio.

Motor coordination is the brain's ability to balance the movements of the body, more specifically of the muscles and joints. The aim was to analyze the interaction between body image, stress, and gross motor skills in scholars. This is was a field study also with descriptive characteristics having Quali-quantitative research profile. To obtain data related to motor learning the test Of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2), developed by Ulrich (2000) and validated by Valentini (2002) was used. To evaluate the Body image the protocol from Collins (1991) was used and finally to the variable stress the protocol from Lipp (1991) was used. There were positive correlations between real and ideal body imageand motor skills of these scholars, p <0.05. This shows that somehow the view of these scholars with respect to their image may be interfering in their motor skills. Motor development is affected by psychological factors, although, it is worth remembering that an infinite number of interacting elements are modifying the motor skill. Thus the motor development corresponds to a process by which the body establishes an interaction with the environment.

Análise da relação entre a maturação biológica e estresse na coordenação motora grossa em escolares de 5 a 10 anos / Analysis of the relationship between stress and biological maturation in motor coordination in large school of 5 to 10 years

A infância é o período em que o desenvolvimento motor está sendo construído, onde, o aparecimento e a extensão do desenvolvimento de habilidades na fase de movimentos dependem de muitos fatores dos estímulos externos do ambiente. A coordenação motora é a capacidade do cérebro de equilibrar os movimentos do corpo, mais especificamente dos músculos e das articulações. Pode-se verificar o desempenho motor de uma pessoa através de sua agilidade, velocidade e energia. O objetivo da pesquisa foi identificar a interação entre maturação biológica, coordenação motora grossa e o estresse em escolares. A amostra contou com 380 crianças de 5 a 10 anos de idades de escolas públicas do município de Cacoal/RO. Para verificar a coordenação motora utilizou-se o teste de TGMD-2, para o teste de estresse infantil foi utilizado o Inventário de Estresse Infantil e para a maturação utilizou-se o protocolo de Tanner adaptado. Para a análise da normalidade amostral, foi utilizado o teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov, sendo utilizado o programa SPSS 17,0. Através das medidas de tendência central e média, foi realizado a caracterização das variáveis medidas e das escalas medidas contínuas. Para verificar a interação das variáveis dependentes e independentes foi utilizado o Modelo Geral Linear (GLM). Sabe-se que o desenvolvimento motor sofre influências diretas de vários fatores, sendo esses genéticos, ambientais e psicológicos. Influencias essas que são um processo contínuo, onde acabam por provocar variações individuais, tornando-se assim único a cada indivíduo.

Childhood is the time when the motor development is being built where the appearance and extent of skills development in the movement phase is dependent on many factors of external stimuli from the environment. Motor coordination is the brain's ability to balance the body's movements, specifically the muscles and joints. You can check the motor performance of a person through their agility, speed andpower. The objective of the research was to identify the interaction between biological maturation, gross motor coordination and stress in schoolchildren. The sample consisted of 380 children 5-10 years of ageattending public schools Cacoal / RO. TGMD-2 test was used to verify motor coordination and to evaluate children stress an inventory was used, maturation was tested by the adapted protocol of Tanner. For the analysis of normal sample, we used the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, and used SPSS 17.0. Through the measuresof central tendency and mean, was conducted to characterize the variables measured and continuous measures of scales. To verify the interaction of independent and dependent variables, we used the GeneralLinear Model (GLM). It is known that motor development suffers direct influences of various factors, and these genetic, environmental and psychological. These influences are a continuous process, whereeventually cause individual variations, thus making it unique to each individual.

ELSa interventional Portuguese health program to promote physical activity.

The aim of the communication was to present the baseline data from incidence of obesity, eating habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviour, before ELSa, interventional Portuguese health program. The sample was composed of 496 children (238 girls and 258 boys) with an average 7.7 (± 2.5) years of age. Thinness, overweight and obesity were calculated by using the BMI and the cut off of Cole et al., 24 h dietary recalls and a general questionnaire was completed by the parents to provide information about eating habits, sedentary behaviour and physical activity. The results indicated high incidence of overweight and obesity, many hours in screen activities and low level of physical activity. The eating habits seemed healthy, but our children's lifestyles were sedentary. To combat the high incidence of obesity it is very urgent to design a multi-level intervention aimed to modify key behaviours: physical activity, screen time and nutrition.