1.Relationship of gross motor skills and perceptual motor abilities with physical activity levels in preschoolers
LI Yameng, ZHU Xiaotong, SHAO Tianzeng, YUE Fengshan, REN Yiqi, REN Yuanchun
Chinese Journal of School Health 2026;47(1):104-108
Objective:
To analyze the relationship of gross motor skills and perceptual motor abilities with physical activity levels in preschool children in a Beijing kindergarten, so as to provide a reference for promoting the development of motor competence.
Methods:
From September 2018 to March 2021, preschoolers aged 4-5 years were selected using convenience sampling method from an urban kindergarten in Beijing. The Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Version(TGMD-3) was used to assess basic preschoolers s gross motor skills ( n =152). The Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence(PMSC) was used to evaluate perceptual motor skills ( n =151). Accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X) were used to record physical activity levels ( n =52). Data were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation coefficients.
Results:
The mean scores for gross motor skills and perceptual motor abilities were (38.76±13.48) and (35.49±6.50), respectively. The moderate to vigorous physical activity(MVPA) level was(52.60±27.44) minutes per day. No statistically significant correlations were found between gross motor skills, perceptual motor abilities MVPA among boys, girls or the overall group ( r =-0.20 to 0.25, all P >0.05). However, Boys locomotor skills, overall children s locomotor skills, and boys gross motor skills were all positively correlated with MVPA( r =0.34-0.45, all P <0.05).
Conclusion
There is a correlation between locomotor skills and physical activity levels in 4 to 5-year-old children.
2.Associations between sleep and executive function development in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Dongqing KUANG ; Feilong ZHU ; Baohua XU ; Shengqi LIN ; Xiaoyu BI ; Xiaotong ZHU ; Yuanchun REN
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(12):1043-1049
Objective:To investigate the sleep characteristics and executive function development in children aged 6-12 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),and to examine the relationship between them.Methods:A total of 112 children diagnosed with ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ),and 45 age-and gender-matched typically developing children were recruited.Sleep characteristics were assessed with the Chinese version of Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire(CSHQ)and ActiGraph GT9X Link Three-axis acceleration body dynamometert.Core ADHD symptoms and multi-ple dimensions of executive function were evaluated withthe Swanson,Nolan,and Pelham scale,Fourth Edition(SNAP-Ⅳ)assessment scale,Stroop Color-Word Test(SCWT),Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test(ROCFT),and Trail Making Test(TMT).Results:Compared with controls,children with ADHD showed significantly higher total CSHQ scores,sleep resistance,sleep anxiety,and sleep maintenance time(P<0.05),and had significantly lower sleep efficiencies measured by ActiGraph GT9X Link(P<0.05).In the SCWT,children with ADHD re-quired more time in the word interference and color interference tests(P<0.05).In the ROCFT,the scores of im-mediate details,delayed details,immediate structure,and delayed structure were lower in the children with ADHD(P<0.05).In the TMT,the number of errors in the digit connection and the time and number of errors in the digit-letter connection were higher in the children with ADHD(P<0.05).The total CSHQ scores of ADHD children were negatively correlated with the working memory scores and positively correlated with the core symptom scores.Conclusion:Children with ADHD exhibit notable sleep disturbance and underdeveloped executive func-tion.the sleep problems,as measured by CSHQ are associated significantly with deficits in executive function.
3.Association between gross motor development characteristics and child Chinese developmental dyslexia
Yuanchun REN ; Biyao FAN ; Yiling SONG ; Jiuju WANG ; Feilong ZHU ; Ning JI ; Qingjiu CAO
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(1):37-42
Objective:To explore the association between the gross motor development of children and Chi-nese developmental dyslexia.Methods:A total of 54 children were enrolled,indadit 27 children with Chinese DD and 27 age-gender-matched normal children.The Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition(TGMD-3),and the balance tests from the Movement Assessment Battery for Children(M-ABC)were used to evaluate the children's gross motor development level.Children's reading ability was evaluated by primary school students'literacy test question bank,one-minute reading task,and the Reading Test on Pupils.Results:The overall analysis of motortests showed that the grossmotor total score,locomotor score,object control score,and balance score in the DD group were significantly lower than those in the normal control group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis revealed a negative association between balance scores,locomotor scores,object control scores,TGMD-3 total scores and indi-viduals with dyslexia(OR=3.08,1.35,1.16,1.13,Ps<0.05).Conclusion:The delayed gross motor development of children is associated with the occurrence of Chinese developmental dyslexia.
4.The impact of aerobic calisthenics exercise on sleep quality in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Dongqing KUANG ; Feilong ZHU ; Xiaoyu BI ; Xiaotong ZHU ; Fangyuan YAO ; Yuanchun REN
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2025;44(6):435-441
Objective To explore the effect of aerobic calisthenics on sleep quality in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).Methods Forty children with ADHD(aged 9~11 years;mean age 9.83±0.76 years)were recruited from the pediatric outpatient department of some class-3 grade-A hospital in Beijing.They were randomized into an intervention group(n=21)and a control group(n=19).Both groups participated in standard school physical education programs,while the intervention group underwent 60-minute aerobic calisthenics exercise sessions three times weekly for 8 weeks.Before and after the intervention,the sleep condition was measured using the children's sleep habits questionnaire(CSHQ)and the three-axis acceleration recorder.The inter-group differenc-es in sleep dimensions were analyzed using independent samples t-tests,while the intra-group ones were evaluated using paired t-tests.Results(1)Inter-group comparison:Before the experiment,no sig-nificant differences were detected between the two groups in sleep characteristics.After the experi-ment,in comparison with the control group,there was a significant decrease in awakening time,aver-age awakening time,and sleep latency time of the intervention group,but a significant increase in sleep efficiency(P<0.05).Moreover,the total score of CSHQ,as well as the sleep resistance and sleep delay scores,were significantly lower in the intervention group(P<0.05).(2)Intra-group com-parison:In the intervention group,after the experiment,there were significant reductions in awakening time and sleep latency time,and a significant enhancement in sleep efficiency(P<0.05).Moreover,the total score of CSHQ,along with the scores of sleep resistance,sleep delay,and daytime sleepi-ness,decreased significantly(P<0.05).In the control group,the daytime sleepiness score decreased af-ter the experiment(P<0.05).Conclusion An 8-week aerobic calisthenics exercise(60 minutes/session,3 sessions/week)significantly improves overall sleep quality in children with ADHD.Therefore,it is worth application in the clinical practice.
5.Association between gross motor development characteristics and child Chinese developmental dyslexia
Yuanchun REN ; Biyao FAN ; Yiling SONG ; Jiuju WANG ; Feilong ZHU ; Ning JI ; Qingjiu CAO
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(1):37-42
Objective:To explore the association between the gross motor development of children and Chi-nese developmental dyslexia.Methods:A total of 54 children were enrolled,indadit 27 children with Chinese DD and 27 age-gender-matched normal children.The Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition(TGMD-3),and the balance tests from the Movement Assessment Battery for Children(M-ABC)were used to evaluate the children's gross motor development level.Children's reading ability was evaluated by primary school students'literacy test question bank,one-minute reading task,and the Reading Test on Pupils.Results:The overall analysis of motortests showed that the grossmotor total score,locomotor score,object control score,and balance score in the DD group were significantly lower than those in the normal control group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis revealed a negative association between balance scores,locomotor scores,object control scores,TGMD-3 total scores and indi-viduals with dyslexia(OR=3.08,1.35,1.16,1.13,Ps<0.05).Conclusion:The delayed gross motor development of children is associated with the occurrence of Chinese developmental dyslexia.
6.Associations between sleep and executive function development in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Dongqing KUANG ; Feilong ZHU ; Baohua XU ; Shengqi LIN ; Xiaoyu BI ; Xiaotong ZHU ; Yuanchun REN
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2025;39(12):1043-1049
Objective:To investigate the sleep characteristics and executive function development in children aged 6-12 years with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),and to examine the relationship between them.Methods:A total of 112 children diagnosed with ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ),and 45 age-and gender-matched typically developing children were recruited.Sleep characteristics were assessed with the Chinese version of Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire(CSHQ)and ActiGraph GT9X Link Three-axis acceleration body dynamometert.Core ADHD symptoms and multi-ple dimensions of executive function were evaluated withthe Swanson,Nolan,and Pelham scale,Fourth Edition(SNAP-Ⅳ)assessment scale,Stroop Color-Word Test(SCWT),Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test(ROCFT),and Trail Making Test(TMT).Results:Compared with controls,children with ADHD showed significantly higher total CSHQ scores,sleep resistance,sleep anxiety,and sleep maintenance time(P<0.05),and had significantly lower sleep efficiencies measured by ActiGraph GT9X Link(P<0.05).In the SCWT,children with ADHD re-quired more time in the word interference and color interference tests(P<0.05).In the ROCFT,the scores of im-mediate details,delayed details,immediate structure,and delayed structure were lower in the children with ADHD(P<0.05).In the TMT,the number of errors in the digit connection and the time and number of errors in the digit-letter connection were higher in the children with ADHD(P<0.05).The total CSHQ scores of ADHD children were negatively correlated with the working memory scores and positively correlated with the core symptom scores.Conclusion:Children with ADHD exhibit notable sleep disturbance and underdeveloped executive func-tion.the sleep problems,as measured by CSHQ are associated significantly with deficits in executive function.
7.The impact of aerobic calisthenics exercise on sleep quality in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Dongqing KUANG ; Feilong ZHU ; Xiaoyu BI ; Xiaotong ZHU ; Fangyuan YAO ; Yuanchun REN
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2025;44(6):435-441
Objective To explore the effect of aerobic calisthenics on sleep quality in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).Methods Forty children with ADHD(aged 9~11 years;mean age 9.83±0.76 years)were recruited from the pediatric outpatient department of some class-3 grade-A hospital in Beijing.They were randomized into an intervention group(n=21)and a control group(n=19).Both groups participated in standard school physical education programs,while the intervention group underwent 60-minute aerobic calisthenics exercise sessions three times weekly for 8 weeks.Before and after the intervention,the sleep condition was measured using the children's sleep habits questionnaire(CSHQ)and the three-axis acceleration recorder.The inter-group differenc-es in sleep dimensions were analyzed using independent samples t-tests,while the intra-group ones were evaluated using paired t-tests.Results(1)Inter-group comparison:Before the experiment,no sig-nificant differences were detected between the two groups in sleep characteristics.After the experi-ment,in comparison with the control group,there was a significant decrease in awakening time,aver-age awakening time,and sleep latency time of the intervention group,but a significant increase in sleep efficiency(P<0.05).Moreover,the total score of CSHQ,as well as the sleep resistance and sleep delay scores,were significantly lower in the intervention group(P<0.05).(2)Intra-group com-parison:In the intervention group,after the experiment,there were significant reductions in awakening time and sleep latency time,and a significant enhancement in sleep efficiency(P<0.05).Moreover,the total score of CSHQ,along with the scores of sleep resistance,sleep delay,and daytime sleepi-ness,decreased significantly(P<0.05).In the control group,the daytime sleepiness score decreased af-ter the experiment(P<0.05).Conclusion An 8-week aerobic calisthenics exercise(60 minutes/session,3 sessions/week)significantly improves overall sleep quality in children with ADHD.Therefore,it is worth application in the clinical practice.
8.Tracking observation of fine motor development in children aged 6-8 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Chinese Journal of School Health 2024;45(6):831-834
Objective:
To examine the developmental trajectory of fine motor ability in schoolage children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for two years, so as to provide scientific evidence to promote motor development in ADHD children.
Methods:
From April to June 2019, 31 children aged 6-8 years old were selected from a public elementary school. They were diagnosed with ADHD by two psychiatric professionals according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) criteria. Additionally, 31 typical developmental children, matched for age, sex and IQ with the ADHD group, were recruited as the control group. Fine motor ability was assessed with tasks of hand manual dexterity in Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MACB-2), and a followup assessment was conducted from April to June 2021. The development changes of fine motor ability between two groups of children were compared by using t test and repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results:
Between baseline and followup periods after two years, the total score of hand fine motor in the ADHD group did not show significant improvement (7.4±3.0, 8.0±3.4; t=-1.05, P>0.05), while there was a small effect size improvement in typically developing control group (9.5±2.1, 10.5±2.4; t=-2.12, effect size=0.38, P<0.05). Followup after two years, coin/peg throwing scores with dominant hand improved between ADHD group and control group (7.0±3.3, 9.5±3.2; 8.4±2.8, 11.6±1.6) (t=-3.74, -6.33, P<0.01; effect size=0.67, 1.14), with a smaller improvement in the ADHD group. The score for threading beads/threads decreased in between ADHD group and control group (7.9±2.4, 5.8±3.1; 9.2±1.1, 8.2±1.9) (t=3.89, 2.78, P<0.01; effect size=0.70, 0.50), with a greater decrease in the ADHD group.
Conclusions
The development speed of fine motor ability in children with ADHD aged 6-8 is slow and continues to lag behind normal developmental children. Fine motor development in children with ADHD should be closely monitored, and targeted interventions should be implemented when necessary.
9.Characteristics and relationship between the development of gross motor skills and executive function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Yiling SONG ; Yuanchun REN ; Feilong ZHU ; Dongqing KUANG ; Qingjiu CAO ; Yang LIN ; Fang WANG
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice 2024;30(1):1-9
ObjectiveTo investigate the developmental characteristics of gross motor skills and executive functions, and the correlation between them in school-age children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). MethodsFrom November, 2020 to May, 2021, 90 children with ADHD were recruited from Peking University Sixth Hospital and Beijing Haidian Wanquan Primary School, and other 90 children with normal development from this primary school were recruited matched their age and gender. Gross motor skills were assessed with the Test of Gross Motor Development in Children, Third Edition (TGMD-3), and inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility were assessed with Stroop Color Words Test (SCWT), Rey-Osterrich Complex Figure Test (ROCFT) and Trail Making Test (TMT), respectively. ResultsThe TGMD-3 score was significantly lower in children with ADHD than in normal children (t = -6.275, P < 0.001), while the test results of SCWT, ROCFT and TMT were worse (|t| ≥ 1.986, P ≤ 0.05). The TGMD-3 score of children with ADHD was negatively correlated with the word sense reaction time (r = -0.261), the number of word sense errors (r = -0.404) and the number of color errors (r = -0.326) (P < 0.05), positively correlated with the delayed structural memory scores (r = 0.228) (P < 0.05), and negatively correlated with the TMT-A reaction time (r = -0.255), the number of TMT-A errors (r = -0.329), TMT-B reaction time (r = -0.214) and the number of TMT-B errors (r = -0.474) (P < 0.05). Stratified linear regression analyses showed that the TGMD-3 score of children with ADHD was significant only in predicting test results for inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility (P < 0.05), with explanations of 8.7% and 22.5%, respectively. ConclusionDevelopments of both gross motor skills and executive function delay in children with ADHD, and there is a relation between them, especially the level of gross motor skills relating to the developments of inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility.
10.A meta-analysis of effects of acute exercise on executive function in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Jingyi ZHOU ; Li HE ; Feilong ZHU ; Yuanchun REN
Chinese Mental Health Journal 2024;38(12):1058-1065
Objective:To explore the effect of acute exercise on the executive function in patients with atten-tion deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),and to provide a theoretical basis for the exercise intervention of ADHD.Methods:Experimental studies on the effect of acute exercise on executive function in patients with ADHD published up to 21 April 2023 were searched from PubMed,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,Embase,CNKI,Wanfang,and other data platforms.Results:A total of 15 studies were included,and 515 patients with ADHD were included.The results of meta-analysis showed that a single exercise could improve inhibitory control(SMD=0.36,95%CI=0.17-0.55,P<0.05)and cognitive flexibility(SMD=0.40,95%CI=0.10-0.69,P<0.05)in pa-tients with ADHD.The results of subgroup analysis showed that in terms of the age of the participants,a single ex-ercise could only improve inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility in children and adolescents with ADHD(SMD=0.36,0.43,Ps<0.05),but not in adult patients with ADHD(SMD=0.34,0.14,Ps>0.05).In terms of exer-cise regimen,only a single exercise with moderate and high intensity,≤ 20 minutes,and open motor skills could simultaneously improve inhibitory control(SMD=0.47,0.51,0.47,Ps<0.05)and cognitive flexibility(SMD=0.86,0.65,0.86,Ps<0.05)in patients with ADHD.Conclusion:Acute exercise could improve inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility in children and adolescents with ADHD,but has no significant effect on working memory and executive function in adult patients.


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