Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Sport Sciences for Health, cilt.21, sa.3, ss.1613-1621, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus)
Background: Children with DCD often lack the motor proficiency essential to perform daily activities which may in turn lead to psychosocial problems. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a play-based group motor program in improving self-efficacy and motor proficiency in children with DCD. Methods: 30 girls aged 10–12 years who met the DSM-V criteria for DCD with substantially low motor performance were randomly assigned to experimental (N = 15) and control groups (N = 15). The experimental group underwent 24 sessions of SPARK (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids), a structured physical education program designed to enhance motor skills. Participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT) and Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C). Results: 2 × 2 mixed ANOVA analysis revealed significant improvements in the experimental group for motor performance, including upper limb coordination (P < 0.001, d = 1.926), Fine Motor Proficiency (P < 0.001, d = 2.689), Gross Motor Proficiency (P < 0.001, d = 2.181), and Total Motor Proficiency (P < 0.001, d = 3.798). Self-efficacy also increased significantly in the experimental group (P < 0.001, d = 2.622). No significant between-group difference was observed in strength (P = 0.069). Conclusion: Results suggest the SPARK program as a play-based group motor intervention enhance gross and fine motor function and self-efficacy in girls with DCD. However, the short-term nature of this study and its focus on girls limit generalizability.