The purpose of the study was to determine the relation between developmental gross motor activities and hand writing skills in elementary school aged children. One hundred normal Egyptian children of both sexes were selected out of 600 from three private national elementary language schools, their ages ranged from 48-72 months old. Fifty four children were in grade senior kinder (group A) and 46 children were in grade one (group B). Each child in both groups was evaluated individually by using Peabody Developmental Motor Scale (PDMS-2) to determine the level of gross motor activities and the McMaster Handwriting Assessment Protocol (MHAP) to detect level of hand writing skills including speed of near point copying, speed of dictation, hand dominance and type of pencil grasp. The results of the study revealed significant positive correlation between gross motor quotient and speed of near point copying in both groups: Group A (n = 54, r = 0.664, p = 0.000), group B (n = 46, r = 0.769, p = 0.000) and significant positive correlation between gross motor quotient and speed of dictation in both groups: Group A (n = 54, r = 0.621, p = 0.000), group B (n = 46, r = 0.667, p = 0.000). Results also revealed non-significant positive correlation between gross motor quotient and hand dominance in both groups:group A (n = 54, r = 0.440, p = 0.842), group B (n = 46, r = 0.505, p = 0.617) and non-significant positive correlation between gross motor quotient and type of grasp in both groups: Group A (n = 54, r = 0.782, p = 0.09), group B (n = 46, r = 0.759, p = 0.171). It can be concluded that in the selected age range, gross motor skills were strongly correlated to speed of hand writing either in near point copying or dictation and not correlated to hand dominance or type of pencil grasp.

ObjectivesThis study investigated the effect of incentive spirometry training on oromotor and pulmonary functions in children with Down's syndrome.MethodsThirty-four children with Down's syndrome were randomly divided into two groups; the children were of both sexes and aged between 6 and 12 years. Group A received only oromotor exercises, while Group B received oromotor exercises and incentive spirometry training. The pulmonary function test was performed using computerized spirometry model master screen that assessed pulmonary functions (peak expiratory flow, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in 1s), while the orofacial myofunctional evaluation with score (OMES) was used to evaluate oromotor function before and after treatment.ResultsThe post treatment results showed significant difference in oromotor and pulmonary functions within both groups, but no significant differences were found between the two groups.ConclusionsOromotor exercises are more effective than incentive spirometry training in improving both pulmonary and oromotor functions in children with Down's syndrome.

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Background The treatment for children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can lead to multiple adverse effects, including poor physical capacity and muscle weakness. This study aimed to determine which is more effective, aerobic exercises or modified strength training program, on muscle strength and quality of life (QOL) for children with ALL. Results In terms of muscle strength, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in selected group of muscles elbow flexors, shoulder abductors, hip flexors, knee extensors, and ankle dorsiflexors at both sides in group B compared with group A, whereas there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between groups on QOL. Conclusion The outcomes of the study showed that there was a significant difference in the selected group of muscles at both sides in group B compared with group A; thus, the modified strength training program is more effective for muscle strength of children with ALL than aerobic training, but there was no significant difference between them on QOL. Trial registration The clinical trial registered in clinicaltrials.gov with an identifier number NCT03147365

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