Comparing the effects of fine, gross, and fine-gross motor exercises on the motor competence of 6-12 year-old autistic children: A quasi-experimental study with a follow-up test.

This study looked at different types of movement exercises for autistic children aged 6-12. Sixty children tried either fine motor activities (like using fingers), gross motor activities (like running), both types together, or no special exercises. The children who did both types of exercises together showed the biggest improvements in their movement skills, and these improvements lasted even two months later. This suggests that exercise programs combining both small and large movement activities work best for helping autistic children develop better motor skills.

This quasi-experimental study examined the effectiveness of different motor exercise programs in 60 autistic children aged 6-12 years. Participants were randomly assigned to fine motor, gross motor, combined fine-gross motor, or control groups. Each experimental group received 30 sessions of 45-minute interventions over three months. Motor competence was assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test at pre-test, post-test, and two-month follow-up.

Results showed that combined fine-gross motor exercises produced the most significant improvements in overall motor competence, with gains maintained at follow-up. The gross motor group improved only in gross motor skills, while the combined approach enhanced both fine and gross motor abilities. The study suggests combined motor exercise programs may be most beneficial for autistic children.

Combined fine and gross motor exercise programs appear more effective than single-focus approaches for improving motor competence in autistic children. Three sessions per week for three months may be an optimal intervention schedule. Practitioners should consider incorporating both fine and gross motor activities into therapy programs to maximize motor skill development outcomes.

The study used a quasi-experimental design rather than a full randomized controlled trial. Sample size details were not clearly reported. The follow-up period was relatively short at two months, limiting understanding of long-term effects. Control group specifications and potential confounding variables were not detailed in the abstract.

It has been reported that most of the autistic children suffer from developmental delays in motor skills. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of Fine, Gross, and Fine-Gross Motor Exercises on the gross and fine motor skills and the motor competence of 6-12 year-old autistic children. 60 autistic children were included in the study and randomly divided into three experimental groups and one control group. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Competence was conducted in three stages: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up (two months later). The experimental groups received the intervention of their group in three sessions per week for three months, 30 sessions, each lasting for 45 min. motor competence score in the gross-fine motor and gross-motor groups improved significantly in the post-test.

In addition, the gross-fine motor group received significantly a higher score in post-test and follow up. This improvement in the gross-fine motor group resulted from improving gross and fine motor skills, while the gross-motor group only improved gross motor skills. Overall, the gross-fine motor exercise probably positively affected the motor abilities underlying gross and fine motor skills. Hence, this type of exercise program is suggested to be used for autistic children.