The Impact of Group Rhythmic Movements on Motor Proficiency and Handwriting Skills in First-Grade Elementary School Children in the Post-COVID Era

Subject Areas : Developing wellness through physical activity management

Shahla Dehghan Ghahfarokhi ¹ , Kobra Emami Rizi ²

1 - Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Izeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Izeh, Iran
2 - گروه علوم تربیتی، واحد ایذه، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، ایذه، ایران

Received: 2025-07-16 Accepted : 2025-11-22 Published : 2025-12-16

Keywords: Rhythmic Exercises, Motor Proficiency, Handwriting Skills, Post-Pandemic, Children.,

Abstract :

Introduction: The outbreak of the coronavirus and its associated restrictions had profound impacts on the psychological, educational, and motor aspects of children's lives, particularly during the post-pandemic period. These conditions significantly reduced opportunities for physical activities and social interactions, negatively affecting children’s motor proficiency and handwriting skills. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of rhythmic exercises on motor proficiency and handwriting skills in students.

Methods: The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2), was used in its short form to assess motor proficiency. At the same time, a standardized handwriting assessment tool was employed to evaluate handwriting skills.

Results: The results showed that rhythmic exercises significantly improved motor proficiency (p < 0.01, F = 24.699) and handwriting skills (p < 0.05, F = 5.123). The effect sizes for rhythmic exercises were 0.344 for motor proficiency and 0.062 for handwriting skills.

Conclusion: These findings are consistent with previous studies, suggesting that rhythmic exercises can be an effective method in educational and therapeutic programs. The study had limitations, including a small sample size and a short duration of exercise implementation. Based on the results, it is recommended that teachers and parents incorporate rhythmic exercises into students' daily routines. Future research should explore the effects of these exercises on other aspects of child development.

 

References:


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