School-aged Boys Research Articles

Physical Activity Habits and Sleep Duration According to Gender: A Cross-Sectional Study of Elementary School Children.

(1) Background: The main goals of this study were to describe the physical activity (PA) and sleep habits of 8-12-year-old children according to their gender and to evaluate the relationship between PA and sleep habits (i.e., duration and timing). (2) Methods: A total of 236 children (114 boys and 122 girls) completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) and an ad hoc sleep habits questionnaire. (3) Results: Boys were more physically active than girls (2.62 ± 0.51 vs. 2.46 ± 0.48, p = 0.026) and enacted higher PA levels in school recess (3.82 ± 1.36 vs. 3.56 ± 1.38, p = 0.003), during the afternoon (3.37 ± 1.20 vs. 2.89 ± 1.12, p = 0.003), and during weekends (3.54 ± 1.20 vs. 3.18 ± 0.48, p = 0.009). Per sleep habits, boys had a significantly later bedtime (21:53 ± 2:08 vs. 21:34 ± 2:14, p = 0.009) and a significantly smaller total sleep duration (9.64 ± 0.86 vs. 9.89 ± 0.87 h, p = 0.023) than girls. No significant correlations between PA and sleep habits were found. (4) Conclusions: We found differences in the PA and sleep habits between school-age boys and girls. Institutions and entities should consider designing specific interventions to improve PA and sleep habits according to gender.

Epidemioclinical Profile of Inflammatory Ringworm in Children at the Koulikoro Reference Health Centre (Csref)

Introduction: Inflammatory or suppurative ringworm is a rare form of dermatophyte damage to the hair scalp. The aim is to describe the epidemioclinical profile of inflammatory ringworm in children at the Koulikoro Reference Health Centre (Csref). Methodology: This was a 12-month descriptive cross-sectional study of all cases of Kerions diagnosed in children at the Koulikoro Csref. Results: Over 12 months, 25 cases were recorded among 1,200 consulting patients, representing a hospital frequency of 2%. Males were 22 and females three, with a sex ratio of 7.33. The mean age was 7 years, ranging from 2 to 13 years. Conclusion: Celse kerions appear to be common in school-age boys, and contact with domestic animals is described in the majority of cases. Further work is needed to describe the fungi responsible and the risk factors.

Time trends and disparities of obesity and related national policies and programs in Nepal: a systematic review

ObjectiveOverweight and obesity prevalence has increased in low-income countries. This study systematically reviewed the obesity trend, disparities, and prevention and control efforts in Nepal. MethodsWe searched PubMed and Google Scholar for articles and reports published between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2022. Additional information on National policies and programs related to obesity prevention was retrieved from governmental websites and consultation with relevant experts. Overweight and obesity were defined using the World Health Organization body mass index cut points. Thirty-two studies and reports were included. ResultsOverall, overweight and obesity rates increased in all groups in Nepal although nationally representative data remained limited. The combined overweight and obesity (OW/OB) and obesity rates in women aged 15‒49 years increased from 8.5% to 22.2% and from 0.9% to 5.1% between 2006 and 2016, respectively. OW/OB and obesity rates in men were 17.1% and 2.5% based on data from the 2016 Demographic and Health Survey. OW/OB rate in under-five children increased from 0.6% to 2.8% between 2006 and 2016. Obesity rates for school-age (5‒9 years) boys and girls in 2016 were 2.4% and 2.8%, respectively, and were 1.1% and 1.4% for male and female adolescents aged 10‒19 years, respectively. OW/OB prevalence was much higher among women, residents in urban areas and central provinces, and in higher socioeconomic status groups. Projected prevalence of OW/OB and obesity for 2030 in adults aged 15‒49 was 44.7% and 8.3%, respectively, while it was 2.2% for OW/OB in preschool children. Policies and direct interventions that specifically focused on obesity prevention and control are limited. ConclusionsOW/OB prevalence in Nepal has increased during the past 1.8 decades, disproportionately affecting population groups. Existing interventions mostly focused on undernutrition with some indirect implications for obesity prevention. In the future, Nepal needs to develop population-based programs for obesity prevention.

Plasmodium falciparum infection in humans and mosquitoes influence natural Anopheline biting behavior and transmission

The human infectious reservoir of Plasmodium falciparum is governed by transmission efficiency during vector-human contact and mosquito biting preferences. Understanding biting bias in a natural setting can help target interventions to interrupt transmission. In a 15-month cohort in western Kenya, we detected P. falciparum in indoor-resting Anopheles and human blood samples by qPCR and matched mosquito bloodmeals to cohort participants using short-tandem repeat genotyping. Using risk factor analyses and discrete choice models, we assessed mosquito biting behavior with respect to parasite transmission. Biting was highly unequal; 20% of people received 86% of bites. Biting rates were higher on males (biting rate ratio (BRR): 1.68; CI: 1.28–2.19), children 5–15 years (BRR: 1.49; CI: 1.13–1.98), and P. falciparum-infected individuals (BRR: 1.25; CI: 1.01–1.55). In aggregate, P. falciparum-infected school-age (5–15 years) boys accounted for 50% of bites potentially leading to onward transmission and had an entomological inoculation rate 6.4x higher than any other group. Additionally, infectious mosquitoes were nearly 3x more likely than non-infectious mosquitoes to bite P. falciparum-infected individuals (relative risk ratio 2.76, 95% CI 1.65–4.61). Thus, persistent P. falciparum transmission was characterized by disproportionate onward transmission from school-age boys and by the preference of infected mosquitoes to feed upon infected people.

Ecological and comparative analysis of the influence of the weather factor under the combined effect of heliomagnetic storms (HMS) on the vegetative balance of boys of different ages

Despite the extensive scientific data available on the impact of meteorological and heliogeophysical factors on the health and physiological parameters of the organism, the ecological role and biological nature of the mechanisms of their interaction remain unclear. The need to choose an integrated approach to the study of the Space–Earth–Human system is obvious and justified because it is based on the idea of using modern technologies and channels for obtaining and disseminating information about the impact of space weather, variability of the atmosphere, electromagnetic and gravitational fields, anthropogenic pollution and other environmental parameters that requires effective and rapid solution. It has been established that the body’s response to various stressful influences is largely determined by the ratio of the tone of the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system. It is the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and, above all, its sympathetic division that plays a special role in the formation of adaptive reactions of the body, the development of meteorological reactions, i.e. the autonomic nervous system is the primary site of meteorological influences that cause shifts in its balance. Determination of vegetative status and direction of vegetative activity in boys’ organism was carried out by means of functional and vegetative diagnostics by V. Makats’ method. We examined 151 boys, including 49 boys aged 7–11 years and 102 — aged 12–15 years, FVD was carried out in the morning at 10.00–11.00. Since the state of the autonomic nervous system is decisive in the development of meteotropic reactions, the data of the study of vegetative tone in sunny and cloudy weather under the combined influence of heliomagnetic storms (HMS) were analysed, favourable and unfavourable weather conditions for the body were determined and the state of adaptive health of the examined children was determined. It was found that under the influence of heliometeorological factors on the organism of practically healthy young boys, agerelated peculiarities of meteorological variability are observed. The most sensitive to changes in weather and climatic conditions under the combined influence of HMS was the group of primary school age boys (PSA) aged 7–11 years, who showed maximum deviations in the activity of functional systems from the age norm, and the least sensitive was the group of boys aged 12–15 years. When analysing the influence of changes in weather conditions on the body of boys by the vegetative coefficient (kV), it was found that at the norm of kAv 0.95–1.05, it increased maximally when exposed to sunny weather and amounted to 1.12 in the revealed state of vegetative balance. In a healthy organism, changes in physiological processes and functional activity of systems under the influence of such a factor as changes in boys’ PSA, which indicates a pronounced sympathicotonia, and in boys’ ASA 0.93, respectively, which indicates a slight parasympathicotonia. The effects of cloudy weather on the body in both groups, even with the combined effect of HMB, are easily compensated for, and a special role in this belongs to the autonomic nervous system, whose activity ensures an adequate response of the body to the effects of environmental factors. Knowledge about meteosensitivity and meteorological reactions is necessary for the development of both preventive and therapeutic measures aimed at increasing nonspecific resistance and adaptation mechanisms of the body, normalising the function of organs and systems as a basis for normal reactions to adverse environmental changes. Environmental factors, including meteorological factors, are directly related to human life and health. Each of the meteorological elements has its own biological significance. This raises the question of the impact of solar activity, weather, atmospheric conditions, and, above all, anthropogenic pollution and other environmental parameters on human health, which naturally requires a quantitative approach to risk assessment and the development of necessary management decisions.

Peran Biro Kesejahteraan Rakyat Provinsi Jawa Timur dalam Upaya Penurunan Stunting di Provinsi Jawa Timur Melalui Penguatan Tim Pembina Unit Kesehatan Sekolah (TP UKS/M)

Peran Biro Kesejahteraan Rakyat Provinsi Jawa Timur dalam Upaya Penurunan Stunting di Provinsi Jawa Timur Melalui Penguatan Tim Pembina Unit Kesehatan Sekolah (TP UKS/M)

A Qualitative Analysis of Beliefs about Masculinity and Gender Socialization among US Mothers and Fathers of School-Age Boys.

Internalization of culturally dominant masculine gender role norms can have harmful impacts on the physical and emotional health of men and boys. Although parents play an important role in influencing gender-related beliefs in their children, limited research has examined how contemporary parents conceptualize masculinity and their role in gender socialization. The current study conducted 13 focus groups with Black, Latino, and White parents (N = 83) of school-age boys from rural and urban areas in a large southeastern state in the US. Parent beliefs about masculinity existed across a spectrum from "rigid" (representing narrow, culturally dominant masculine norms) to "flexible" (defining a broader set of behaviors and attitudes as masculine). In general, more flexible beliefs were expressed by mothers than fathers, and by White than Black and Latino parents. Most parents reacted positively to messages about potential harms associated with restrictive masculinity norms; however, many saw these issues primarily as parenting challenges (e.g., teaching boys to resist negative peer influences) rather than related to gender socialization. Some unique themes also emerged within racial/ethnic groups, with Black parents noting the impact of racial discrimination on societal expectations for Black men and fathers, and Latino parents describing generational shifts towards more equitable gender role attitudes and parenting practices. These findings highlight the need for more complex and nuanced messages about masculinity norms and their relationship to health and well-being and can help inform the development of interventions to promote healthy masculine gender socialization, increase health equity, and prevent injury and violence.

Characteristics of the components of psycho-emotional stability of high school students in the process of physical education

The article examines the subjective characteristics of the psycho-emotional state of high school students using psychological questionnaires. So, in general, 45.0% of students have a high level of well-being, activity - 35.0% of schoolchildren, mood - 25.0% of student youth. It was found that the resistance to stress in extreme situations of the vast majority of high school age boys is in the range from below average to average levels. The study of anxiety showed that, in general, high school students have a slightly increased level of reactive (situational) and personal anxiety (45.4±9.7 points and 44.1±10.1 points, respectively, at p<0.05). According to the results of the assessment of willpower, it was established that this indicator of willpower in high school students is on average 18.1±4.5 points and corresponds to the average level. As for determination, on average, 52.5% of the studied 10-11 graders can be called determined. The results of determining the level of stress made it possible to establish a certain single trend at this age, namely: a low level of resistance to stress is characteristic of 12.01% of the examinees, an average level - 59.42%, and a high level - 28.57%.

Dynamics of indicators of general physical fitness of young men in the process of sectional training in athletics

The process of physical education of schoolchildren in institutions of general secondary education should ensure proper physical fitness of its pupils. However, the data of numerous surveys of a wide contingent of students indicate a low level of physical fitness, which is primarily due to insufficient development of physical qualities. The emergence of negative cases during physical education lessons in the institution of general secondary education in recent years requires the use of such effective means that without much stress affect the physical fitness of schoolchildren.
 The purpose of the work is to determine the dynamics of the general physical fitness of 16-17-year-old boys during sectional athletics classes.
 Research results. The established indicators of physical fitness for the experiment formed the basis for further selection of means aimed at increasing the level of physical fitness of high school-aged boys.
 Thus, in the experimental group, a section on athletics for young men was created. Classes were held after school twice a week: on Mondays and Thursdays, lasting 60-90 minutes.
 Classes in the athletics section contribute to better assimilation of the program material, make it possible to significantly expand and deepen the scope of acquired skills and abilities, and increase the level of physical fitness. While conducting the preparatory part of the sectional class (warm-up), we drew the attention of the young men to the need to remember the exercises, their dosage and sequence. It was explained that a properly conducted warm-up helps prevent injuries and more effectively solve the tasks. Periodically, we offered the young men to warm up first in small groups, and then individually. When learning new exercises, in order to avoid mistakes, they were first demonstrated.
 Conclusions. The dynamics of growth rates of physical fitness indicators of young men during sectional athletics shows that the greatest progressive changes were achieved in indicators of speed, endurance and speed-strength qualities.

Effects of poor eating habits on children's body weight

The primary objective of this research is to delve into the correlation between suboptimal dietary habits and the body weight of children residing in Mostar city, Bosnia and Herzegovina. By examining the dietary patterns prevalent among the youth in this specific urban setting, the study seeks to uncover how these habits may be linked to variations in body weight. Through a comprehensive investigation, the aim is to contribute valuable insights into the intricate relationship between eating behaviors and the physical well-being of children in Mostar, thereby informing potential interventions or strategies for promoting healthier lifestyles within this population. In conclusion this pattern of dietary habits not only influences physical health but also has implications for overall well-being and may pose challenges for the long-term health trajectory of school-age boys. It underscores the importance of promoting healthier dietary choices and lifestyle habits from an early age to mitigate the potential adverse effects on children's health.

Knowledge gaps in health-related quality of life research performed in children with bleeding disorders - A scoping review.

Bleeding disorders (BDs) may influence health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and caregivers. Measuring HRQoL gives insight into domains requiring support and provides an opportunity to evaluate the effects of novel therapies. To gain insight in the current body of literature on HRQoL in children with BDs in order to identify knowledge gaps for research and further development of this field. Scoping review. We included 53 articles, describing studies mainly performed in Europe and North-America (60.4%) and mostly within the last ten years. Only 32% studies included children<4 years. Almost all studies (47/53, 88.7%) were performed in boys with haemophilia, pooling haemophilia A and B (n=21) and different disease severities (n=20). Thirteen different generic and five disease-specific HRQoL-questionnaires were applied; all questionnaires were validated for haemophilia specifically. Six (11,3%) combined generic and disease-specific questionnaires. Self-reports were most frequently applied (40/53, 75.5%), sometimes combined with proxy and/or parent-reports (17/53, 32.1%). Eleven studies used a reference group (20.8%). Statistical analyses mostly consisted of mean and SD (77.4%). HRQoL-research is mainly performed in school-aged boys with haemophilia, treated in developed countries. Pitfalls encountered are the pooling of various BDs, subtypes and severities, as well as the application of multiple generic questionnaires prohibiting comparison of results. More attention is needed for broader study populations including other BDs, young children, feminine bleeding issues and platelet disorders, as well as the use of HRQoL as an effect-measurement tool for medical interventions, and more thorough statistical analysis.

Benefits and barriers: Improving boys’ mental health education in high schools

Adolescents are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis worldwide. Yet, mental health literacy and experiences of mental illness vary significantly with gender. For example, male deaths by suicide are twice as high as females on average globally, with the trend of gender disparity in mental illness emerging in high school and continuing into adulthood. With the majority of mental illnesses also emerging in adolescence, high schools are uniquely positioned to provide timely preventative mental health education for boys. To date, however, school-based mental health education programs are predominantly gender-neutral. We conducted a narrative review of the literature in mental health education programs for high school aged boys aged 12–18 years within schools and the wider community. To address the question How can high schools provide better mental health education for their male students? searches were undertaken in four databases, ProQuest (including ERIC), Informit (including A+ Education), PsychINFO and Google Scholar, between January 2021 and November 2023. There were no restrictions on publication date. Our findings suggested that to improve mental health knowledge and attitudes towards mental health and help seeking, school-based programs should be gender transformative, draw on best practice and theory in sociology, psychology, and boys’ pedagogy, utilise co-design so that student voice can be prioritised, and be tailored to the school's sociocultural context. Recommendations for schools are discussed.

An Exploratory Study of Pragmatic Language Use Across Contexts With the Pragmatic Rating Scale-School Age Among Autistic Boys and Boys With Fragile X Syndrome Plus Autism.

Autistic boys and boys with co-occurring fragile X syndrome and autism spectrum disorder (FXS + ASD) demonstrate similar pragmatic language difficulties. The Pragmatic Rating Scale-School Age (PRS-SA) captures ecologically valid metrics of pragmatic language impairments in these populations. It is traditionally scored based on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), which may limit the use of the PRS-SA more broadly in research and clinical contexts. This study evaluated the feasibility of the PRS-SA based on a shorter, semistructured conversational context compared to the ADOS in school-age autistic boys (n = 16) and boys with FXS + ASD (n = 16), matched on ASD traits. Differences across ADOS and conversational contexts and associations with ASD-related social difficulties were evaluated. Findings revealed differences in PRS-SA scores between ADOS and conversational contexts, but only for the FXS + ASD group. Limited associations were observed between PRS-SA scores and ASD traits. Results from this study indicate the feasibility of using the PRS-SA in a shorter conversational context than the ADOS to assess pragmatic language among autistic boys. For boys with FXS + ASD, contextual differences warrant careful consideration in future work.

Clinical Pathology Characteristics of 221 Pediatric Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma-3 Years Follow up and Experience from China Net Childhood Lymphoma(CNCL)

Objective: To investigate the clinical-pathology characteristics, risk factors, necessary for VBL maintenance therapy，through summarize the clinical data of 221 cases of pediatric Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL), treated with CNCL-ALCL-2017 witch is modify from BFM-ALCL-99 (±vincristine maintenance therapy) in China Net Childhood Lymphoma (CNCL). Methods: Data were collected on 221 children with ALCL enrolled from CNCL at time between April 2017 to March 2023, including: numbers of cases enrolled in each single center, gender and age at the time of initial diagnosis, the first initial symptom, a delay diagnosis, the misdiagnosis disease , the site of involvement, the level of blood uric acid, the level of blood lactate dehydrogenase, the bone marrow and CNS status, tumor complication, complicated with HLH, staging and treatment subgroups, pathological subtypes, CD3 expression in tumor tissue, bone marrow and peripheral blood ALK gene expression at initial diagnosis (qPCR + FISH), and treatment outcomes, treatment strategy(vincristine maintenance or not), time from initial diagnose to relapse, second-line treatment regimen after relapse, and treatment outcomes after relapsed. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 21.0 software. Results: 221 cases were from 22 hospitals in China. Male = 144 cases, female = 71 cases, age range from 1-16 years (median age 8.9 years), duration from initial symptoms onset to diagnosis was 0.3-11 months (median time 1.0 months), delayed diagnosis was present in 51(23%) children (45 children were misdiagnosed with infectious diseases). Pathological subtypes were: common sub type = 150(67.8%), small cell sub type = 19(8.5%), histiocytic variant subtype = 9(4%), ALK negative subtype = 12(5.4%).others = 31(14%). CD3 expression in tumor: negative = 119, positive = 91. ALK positive by qPCR in peripheral blood at the time of the initial diagnosis = 77, ALK positive by qPCR in bone marrow = 78, bulky disease= 21, mediastinal invasion = 84, CNS invasion = 17, skin invasion = 32. tumor related HLH = 25, normal LDH level at initial diagnosis = 133, 1-fold elevated = 45, 2-3-fold elevated = 39, 4-fold elevated = 2, &amp;gt;4-fold elevated = 2, stage I = 5, stage II = 24, stage III = 70, stage IV = 120 , leukemic stage = 2 . Grouping: group A = 1, group B = 21, group C = 191, group D = 8. Vincristine maintenance = 121. Median follow-up time was 35.4 months (0.5-74.9 months), OS at 3 years = 95.1±1.5% (95% CI = 90%-97.3%, Fig. 1), EFS at 3 years = 84.7±4.5% (95% CI = 79%-89.9%, Fig. 2), and there were a total of 23 patients with events, median time was7 months. There were 10 patients died, 5 of them quit to the treatment, median time was 5 months, and 13 patients who had an event but still alive after second line treatment. Univariate results of the 3 years EFS are detailed in Table 1, with statistically significant including (&amp;lt;0.05): tumor related HLH before treatment, LDH levels higher than 4 times normal and MDD positive at the beginning of the disease, and treated without VBL. The event patients are 23 cases ,the detailed in Table 2, which showed that the earlier the event occurs, the higher the mortality rate. Conclusion:Pediatric ALCL in China is mostly found in school-age boys, and it is easy to be diagnosed as infectious diseases at the time of initial diagnosis due to high fever and elevated CRP. 87% of patients were diagnosed as late stage or high-risk group. The application of the CNCL-ALCL-2017 protocol showed a 3-year OS 84.7% and 3-year EFS 95.1%, indicating that the efficacy was significantly better than that of various centers before the multi center cooperation. The overall survival time is significantly better than the event free survival time, indicating that most patients with progression and recurrence still have a chance of re remission after second line treatment. Adverse prognostic factors include a significant increase in LDH levels at initial diagnosis, initial onset of HLH, positive MDD before treatment, and no use of vinblastine maintenance therapy. Recurrent children: The median recurrence time is 7 months, and the prognosis of early progression and recurrence is worse than that of late recurrence. Key words: Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Pediatric, Clinical-pathology features, Prognosis

Control and Evaluation of the Strength Abilities of Primary School-Aged Karate Boys

The purpose of this research is to provide a qualitative assessment of the development of strength abilities in 7-year-old boys using the results of complex control. Materials and methods. 32 boys of 7 years old took part in the research. The children and their parents were informed about all peculiarities of the research and gave consent to participate in the experiment. The following research methods were applied to solve the set tasks: analysis of scientific and methodical literature, pedagogical testing, and methods of mathematical statistics for processing research results. Results. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated to estimate the closeness of interaction between parameters. The Spearman-Brown formula was used to determine the overall reliability (homogeneity) of the test. The test “Sit-ups in 30s from the supine position” and the test “Throwing a stuffed ball from a shoulder with the right hand” have the greatest number of numerous statistical interconnections (rxy = 0.701–0.851) of high significance (p&lt;0.001) with other tests characterizing the structure of power fitness of the studied children. It is noteworthy that the test “Throwing a stuffed ball from a shoulder” is an exercise that involves different muscle groups of the trunk and upper and lower limbs. In its structure, it is similar to the technique of punching, so it is advisable to include it in the battery of tests to measure explosive power in martial arts. The 9-point scales of test evaluations were developed. Conclusions. The tests we tested considering the specific qualities necessary for karate are logically and empirically informative and reliable. They can be recommended for the control of different relatively independent types of power abilities of 7-year-old karate boys.

Elevating mathematics achievement outcomes for Black boys: Guidance for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers

ABSTRACTSchool-aged Black boys are mathematically gifted; however, they are often underserved vis-à-vis their mathematics education. In this article, we provide guidance for multiple stakeholders to support and elevate high-quality mathematics learning opportunities for Black male youth. In doing so, we begin by engaging W. E. B. Du Bois’ storytelling. We then offer BlackCrit as a theoretical frame to enrich evidence-based work regarding Black mathematics teachers and culturally relevant pedagogy. We also advocate for the establishment of “grow-your-own” programs given the strong links to Black male achievement as well as the critical need for continuous federal funding in service to Black boys’ mathematics education. We conclude with a summary of the guidance provided to bolster school-aged Black boys’ mathematics achievement outcomes.

Developmental Trajectory of Conduct Problems Among Boys and Girls Receiving Psychoeducational Services at Elementary Schools.

Elementary public schools remain the most common venues for addressing children's severe conduct problems. Nevertheless, very few longitudinal studies have examined association between receiving psychoeducational services for conduct problems in school and subsequent conduct problem severity. This study explored if psychoeducational service reception contributed to reduce conduct problems in a sample of 434 elementary school-aged boys and girls presenting a high level of conduct problems. The study used a repeated measures design at 12-month intervals, for 4 years. Information regarding the severity of children's conduct problems and services was provided by parents and teachers. Latent Growth Modeling was used to identify a mean trajectory of conduct problems. Results revealed that psychoeducational services were associated with a decrease in conduct problems over time, but this association was only observed in boys. There was no association between service reception at study inception and the trajectory of conduct problems among girls. These results suggests that psychoeducational services are well suited to the difficulties of boys with conduct problems; however, they may call for a review of the services offered to girls in schools, both in terms of the detection of conduct problems in young girls, and in terms of their treatment options.

Effect of SPARK Training Program on Neuropsychological and Motor Performance of Male Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

Background and Aims The present study aims to investigate the effect of the SPARK training program on some neuropsychological and motor performance variables in the Movement Assessment Battery for Children - Second Edition (MABC-2) in male children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Methods This is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test design. Participants were 28 school-aged boys diagnosed with DCD (based on the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) from elementary schools (1-4th grades) in District 22 of Tehran, Iran. They underwent the MABC-2 tests as a pretest assessment. Then, they were divided randomly assigned to training (n=14, mean age: 8.6±1.39 years) and control (n=14, mean age: 8.11±1.15 years) groups. The training group performed the SPARK training program at 16 sessions of 45 minutes, three sessions per week. At the end of the training sessions, participants completed the posttest assessment. Data analysis was performed using analysis of covariance. Results The training significantly improved motor performance in domains of manual dexterity (Placing pegs, drawing a trail), ball skills (catching with both hands, throwing a bean bag onto mat), and balance (One-board balance, heel-to-toe walking forwards, hopping on mats) (P&lt;0.05), but there was no significant change in manual dexterity test of threading lace (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion It seems that the SPARK training program can improve some neuropsychological and motor performance indices in male children with DCD.

A-36 Performance of Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder on the Sway Medical Mobile Balance and Cognitive Tests

Abstract Purpose There is a recognized need for more research relating to preseason balance and cognitive testing, as part of a sport-related concussion medical management program, for middle school children. We examined if preseason baseline performance on the Sway Medical Mobile Balance and Cognitive Tests differs by self-reported ADHD diagnosis in 12- and 13-year-old children. Methods Data from 2,501 children (49.1% girls) between 12- and 13-years-old (mean=13.64 years, standard deviation=0.48), tested in 2022, without a self-reported concussion in the past 6 months, were examined. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare balance and four cognitive test scores between children with and without self-reported ADHD, stratified by gender, and significance was set at p&amp;lt;.01. Results There were no significant differences on balance testing for boys or girls with ADHD compared to those without ADHD. Boys with ADHD performed slightly slower on the Impulse Control (p=.001, Hedge’s g=.14) and Inspection Time (p=.002, g=.22) tests than boys without ADHD. Girls with ADHD performed slightly slower on the Reaction Time test (p=.001, g=.33) than girls without ADHD. No differences were found on the Memory test for girls or boys. Conclusions Middle school aged boys and girls with ADHD did not perform worse on balance testing and some of the cognitive tests compared to children without ADHD. There were small magnitude differences on timed tests of Impulse Control and Inspection Time for boys and Reaction Time for girls, with youth who self-reported having ADHD performing slower than youth without ADHD.

Effectiveness of Anodal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation of Left Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in Facial Emotion Recognition and Clinical Symptoms of Boys with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a deficit in communication and social skills, stereotypical and repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, and activities. The gold standard treatment, behavioral therapy, imposes a great cost on families, and its efficacy depends on the life stage at which the therapy is started. As an alternative treatment, the efficacy and safety of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) have been investigated in different patient groups; however, its efficacy on facial emotion recognition (FER) has not been investigated in children with ASD. Objectives: We investigated the effectiveness of anodal tDCS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in FER and clinical symptoms of children with ASD. Methods: Twenty-four boys with ASD were selected from a school in Tehran, Iran. The eligible participants were randomized to receive the intervention (15 minutes of electrical stimulation) or not (20 seconds with device-off; control group). The emotion recognition task and autism treatments evaluation checklist (ATEC) were evaluated before and after the intervention and compared using the mixed ANOVA test. Results: Eleven boys in each group completed the study. The groups were similar regarding mean age, ASD severity, and intelligence quotient. The interactive effect of group and time was significant on both scales (emotion recognition task and ATEC). Conclusions: Anodal tDCS of DLPFC is an effective therapeutic method for specific behaviors, including FER, in school-aged boys with ASD. Further studies are required to suggest this treatment as a safe and effective strategy in children with ASD.