The effect of BAPNE Body Percussion exercises on the balance and the executive functions of DCD children: a preliminary study

Abstract

This research aims to study the effect of Bodypercussion exercises on balance and executive functions of children with DCD. Thirty children with DCD between seven and nine years of age were selected from girls' elementary schools. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups: experimental and control (15 subjects in each group). For eight weeks, the experimental group participated in group BAPNE neuromotor sessions. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and mixed ANOVA test with repeated measures and Bonferroni's post hoc test. The results showed that the result of BAPNE body percussion exercises on static balance (P=0.001), dynamic balance (P=0.001), sustained attention (P=0.001) and response inhibition (P=0.001) is significant and participants in the experimental group performed better at post-test (P=0.001) and follow-up (P=0.001) than the control group.