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Play has a key role in children psychomotor development, and the quality of play spaces can be a facilitator of the former. The physical properties of the environment, such as equipment or material available, can influence children’s behavior. However, it is not clear how the provision of different loose parts impacts children’s play patterns. This study aimed to analyze the influence of four types of loose parts on the time, frequency and number of children using them during free play sessions. We recorded the 1st, 5th and 10th sessions delivered by playworkers in a primary school, with 14 children (Mage = 9.96 years). The available loose parts were categorized, and four types of materials were chosen: tarpaulin/fabrics, cardboard boxes, plastic crates and plastic tubes. The influence of these materials on the time spent using them, frequency of use and number and sex of users (dependent variables) was analyzed. Some tendencies emerged, such as the popularity of tarpaulin/fabrics, but results showed no significant differences between materials. This could mean that the specific physical qualities of each loose part were not determiners of the behavioral domains analyzed. These findings suggest that all types of materials studied can be meaningful for children to engage with in diverse play opportunities.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: Respiratory muscle strength is relevant to the clinical situation of elderly patients, particularly those presenting with respiratory or cardiac diseases. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the respiratory muscle strength of institutionalized elderly women, compare this with predicted values for the Brazilian population and calculate the correlation with age and anthropometric characteristics. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study at the Department of Physiotherapy of Universidade Camilo Castelo Branco. METHODS: The participants were 56 institutionalized elderly women (74.87 ± 10.55 years of age), evaluated in eight institutions in three cities in the central region of the State of São Paulo, between January 2005 and March 2006. They were separated into three subgroups according to age: 60-69 years (n = 20), 70-79 (n = 18) and 80-89 years (n = 18). Maximal respiratory pressures were obtained using a manovacuometer. The values obtained were compared between subgroups and with predicted values. Correlation analysis was used to evaluate age, weight, height and body mass index in relation to maximal respiratory pressures. The significance level was P < 0.05. RESULTS: No significant differences in maximal respiratory pressures were seen between the three subgroups. The maximal respiratory pressures were significantly lower in the three subgroups, compared with predicted values. Negative correlations between maximal respiratory pressures and age and positive correlations in relation to weight, height and body mass index were found. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory muscle strength was markedly reduced in institutionalized 60 to 89-year-old women and the values demonstrated correlations with age and anthropometric characteristics.

Background/Objectives: Children with autism exhibit deficits in fundamental motor skills, which are intensified when associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Objective: To correlate motor competence in children with autism, autism levels according to the CARS scale, and the association with ADHD. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed motor competence using the Motor Competence Assessment (MCA), the severity of Autism Spectrum Disorder by Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and the presence of clinical signs for ADHD using Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham (SNAP-IV) questionnaire. A total of 68 children were recruited; however, 23 were not included due to non-acceptance and/or were excluded because of associated pathologies, high autism severity. Consequently, 45 children (11 with ADHD) between the ages of 5 and 11 (Mean: 8.15; ±1.75) with 83.72% being male. Results: Multiple linear regression revealed a significant inverse correlation between MCA scores and raw CARS data (p = 0.01), indicating that greater autism severity is associated with lower motor competence. The correlation was also observed in CARS classifications, with higher autism severity corresponding to lower motor percentiles (p = 0.05). However, the correlation between the presence of ADHD and motor competence in children with ASD did not reach significance. Overall, a significant correlation was observed (p = 0.006) when analyzing all variables (CARS scores, SNAP scores, and CARS classification). Conclusion: Therefore, it is believed that children with autism exhibit deficits in functional motor skills, with severity impacting motor competence. The findings underscore the need for systematic motor skill assessments in children with autism, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and intervention in this aspect of their development.

INTRODUÇÃO: O objetivo do estudo foi analisar e comparar padrões de chutes com e sem peso adicional em lactentes pré-termo e de termo aos 3 e 4 meses de idade. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram filmados 26 lactentes aos 3 e 4 meses de idade, divididos em Grupo Experimental, 12 lactentes pré-termo sem idade corrigida; e Grupo Controle, 14 lactentes de termo. O experimento foi subdividido em quatro condições, a saber: 1) Treinamento (T): o pesquisador tocava os pés dos lactentes no painel, elevando-o; 2) Linha de Base (LB): movimentos livres de chutes, podendo o lactente elevar ou não o painel com os pés; 3) Peso (P): acréscimo de tornozeleira pesando 1/3 da massa do membro inferior; 4) Pós-Peso (PP): idêntica à LB. RESULTADOS: Na variável frequência de chutes, constatou-se diferença entre as idades [F(5,72) = 5,620; p = 0,0035] e entre as condições LB-P (p = 0,023) e P-PP (p < 0,001). Na variável frequência de contato, obteve-se diferença entre as condições LB-P (p = 0,002) e P-PP (p < 0,001). Na variável sucesso ao elevar o painel, constatou-se diferença entre os grupos (x²(1) = 4,341; p = 0,0013) e as condições LB-P (p = 0,003), LB-PP (p = 0,002) e P-PP (p = 0,002) aos 3 meses de idade. Na variável duração de chute, constatou-se diferença entre as condições LB-P (p = 0,023) e P-PP (p = 0,010). CONCLUSÃO Os chutes de lactentes pré-termo se diferenciam dos termos dependendo das características intrínsecas e extrínsecas.