Postural balance under sensory manipulation predicted fine and gross motor skills in children from 5 to 6 years of age.

AIM: Our aim was to identify predictors of fine and gross motor skills at 5-6 years of age using postural balance under sensory manipulation.

METHODS: This study was conducted during the 2021-2022 academic year and focused on 112 children from three preschools in Tunisia, with roughly the same socio-economic status. Postural balance was assessed with their eyes open and closed on both firm and foam surfaces and motor skills were measured using the short version of Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (Bot-2). Multiple linear regression analysis with stepwise backward selection was used to find a simplified model that best explained the data.

RESULTS: Postural balance accounted for 11% of the total variation in fine motor skills, except for the eyes open firm condition, 10% of the gross motor skills and about 14% of the total Bot-2 score. The eyes open foam condition was the only significant contributor to the gross motor skills model and the overall motor score.

CONCLUSION: Assessing postural balance assessment at 5-6 years of age may predict motor skills. It may be useful for monitoring early child development and designing physical activity programmes for this age group.