The Effect of Gymnastics Training on Neuropsychological Functioning of Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of gymnastics training on some neuropsychological functioning in male children with developmental coordination disorder aged between 8 and 10 in Tehran city. 34 children with developmental coordination disorder who aged between 8 and 10 and had referred to the clinics of occupational therapy and rehabilitation in Tehran in 2013 were selected using convenience and purposive sampling method and were randomly divided into experimental (n=19) and control (n=15) groups. For screening، Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire and Raven''s progressive matrices test were used. The dependent variables were assessed by Neuropsychological Conner Questionnaire. The experimental group received an 8-week (3 sessions per week، each session 45 min.) locomotor intervention of gymnastics protocol. Statistical analysis was performed using multivariate covariance analysis at P≥0. 05 with SPSS16 software. The findings showed significant differences between control and experimental groups in all variables of executive functions (P≤0. 001، F= 492. 454a) and sensory – motor function (P≤0. 001، F=285. 693a). Accordingly، it can be concluded that gymnastics training can improve neuropsychological functioning in children with developmental coordination disorder.