Specialized Training Program on Motor Development for Sports Science Students and Child Coaches Successfully Concluded

 A specialized training program focusing on motor development was held for students and graduates of sports sciences, as well as child sports coaches. The program, organized by the Physical Education and Sports Science Research Institute, included three days of virtual training (June 10–12, 2024) and one day of in-person practical sessions (June 14, 2024). The sessions were led by Dr. Saleh Rafiei, Head of the Research and Applied Studies Department at the Institute and President of the Iranian Association for the Development of Children's Sports and Physical Activity; Dr. Farhad Ghadiri, Faculty Member at Kharazmi University; and Dr. Sana Soltani, an expert in motor development.

Program Objectives:
Dr. Rafiei, the program director and instructor, stated in an interview with the Institute’s Public Relations Office: "This program was designed to train specialists in the field of motor development. Its primary objectives include familiarizing participants with the fundamentals of human performance assessment, the development of fundamental motor skills, gross and fine motor skills, the differences between criterion-referenced and norm-referenced tests, valid and standardized tests, and the practical use of the motor skill development assessment system."

Virtual Training Content:
During the three-day virtual training, participants learned about the administration and interpretation of internationally recognized standardized tests, including:

MABC-2: A highly valid test for diagnosing developmental coordination disorders.

TGMD-3: A test assessing the quality of gross motor skills in children.

BOT-2: A test specifically designed to evaluate motor proficiency in children.

Practical Session:
On the fourth and final day, participants engaged in hands-on field testing, applying the knowledge and skills they had acquired during the virtual sessions.

Importance of the Program:
Dr. Rafiei emphasized the critical need for such training, stating, "We hope that the specialists trained through this program, along with previous cohorts, will adopt a scientific approach to children's sports and bring a more specialized perspective to child development. This will help improve the developmental conditions of children across the country."

He further highlighted the urgency of addressing motor development issues, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic: "Research conducted at the Institute shows that the developmental status of children has significantly worsened due to reduced physical activity during the pandemic. Their current condition is far less favorable compared to pre-pandemic levels. Therefore, it is essential to have more specialists in child development and to conduct these assessments nationwide. However, our focus is not limited to assessments; we aim to connect these evaluations with effective interventions to drive meaningful improvements.