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Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

12-1-2024

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a specific motor function developmental disorder. Motor performance and motor learning in children with DCD lag behind that of typically developing (TD) children. Research has shown that motor competence (MC) in childhood can predict future physical activity (PA). However, there is controversy about the level of PA in early childhood with DCD, and it is not clear whether MC can predict PA. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the differences between MC and PA of 3-6 year old DCD children and TD children, and to explore the relationship between MC and PA of DCD children.

Methods: A total of 90 children aged 3-6 with DCD in a hospital were selected, and 90 children with TD were selected as the control group using gender and age as matching factors. The MC of children were assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children and the Test of Gross Motor Development; PA of children was investigated using the Questionnaire of Parents of Physical Activities of Young Children. Independent samples t-tests and nonparametric tests were used to compare the MC and PA of DCD children and TD children, respectively; partial correlation and linear regression were used to explore the relationship between MC and PA in children with DCD.

Results: The scores of manual dexterities, aiming and catching, body balance ability, and locomotor skills in DCD children were lower than those in TD children (P < 0.05). There was no difference between DCD children and TD children in total PA and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) outside school (P > 0.05); DCD children's manual dexterity and locomotor skills were positively correlated with weekend MVPA (r = 0.237, 0.260, P < 0.05), aiming and catching were positively correlated with MVPA outside school on weekdays (r = 0.274, P = 0.010); locomotor skills (β = 0.264, P = 0.038), aiming and catching (β = 0.287, P = 0.010) had predictive effects on MVPA on weekends and outside school on weekdays, respectively.

Conclusion/Discussion: The DCD children exhibited lower MC compared to the TD children, yet their levels of PA were like those of the TD children, indicating that a deficit in PA does not seem to exist in early childhood. In addition, aiming, catching, and locomotor skills of children with DCD can promote PA. This indicates that the early intervention of DCD should be based on the development of MC, and a personalized intervention plan should be developed to promote the healthy growth of DCD.

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