Cognitive effects of using the modified fun forms of falling method in measuring the susceptibility to body injuries during a fall in children

Abstract: The child's first experience in the development of his postural functions is a fall. At the core of this phenomenon is a loss of balance. Our previous findings have proven that in the course of motor activity of children aged 2 to 6, two-year-olds will make the fewest mistakes when falling and colliding with the ground. The fourth year of life is the moment when this number increases from year to year. The aim of the study is to recommend a modified fun forms of falling (FFF-M) method for children to diagnose susceptibility to body injuries during a fall (SFI). We examined 86 children (boys and girls) aged: 4 years (n = 22); 5- (n = 30); 6- (n = 34). A modification of the SFI research method based on fun forms of falling involves the introduction of three elements: (1) accurate recording of the duration of each FFF; (2) while playing 'puddle with obi' (obi means judo belt), subjective estimation of the force used (L-light, M-medium, H-high) - this is the conventional level B, i.e. the force causing the fall is located at the height of the center of gravity; (3) more accurate estimation of collision errors with the ground (supporting with hands, rolling onto the back, hitting the head). The shortest session lasted 14 minutes, the longest 30 minutes. Fun form at level ‘a’ (localization of force below the center of gravity) lasted the shortest (3 min), and at level ‘c’ (localization of force above the center of gravity or together with criteria ‘a’, but identical FFF) lasted the longest (19 min). During FFF at level ‘b’, medium use of force to throw the child off balance was predominant. Children from all age groups were most likely to make upper limb errors during FFF (on average: 16 four-year-olds; 20 five-year-olds, 24 six-year-olds). Head impacts were observed in 1 four-year-old, 3 five-year-olds, and 3 six-year-olds. One child from each age group made no mistakes (0%) during FFF, and one child made mistake every time (100%). The conjunction of the research results (duration of the session, subjectively estimated strength, accurate estimation of errors during a fall) with the directive to simplify the diagnosis authorizes the recommendation of FFF 'puddle with obi' as a sufficient criterion for diagnosing the SFI phenomenon in children from two to six years of age. However, the assumption should be made that the evaluation should be based on the results of careful observation of at least 5 child falls.

Keywords: Innovative Agonology, Prevention Of Fall Injuries, Safe Fall Theory

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005294

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