Persisting motor control problems in 11- to 12-year-old boys previously diagnosed with deficits in attention, motor...

The aim of this study was to examine whether boys who had been previously diagnosed between the ages of 5 and 8 years with deficits in attention, motor control and perception (DAMP) still have problems with motor control, which influence their spare-time and everyday activities, at 11 to 12 years. The study comprised a well defined cohort of 10 boys with DAMP and a control group of 20 boys without DAMP matched for age, height, and weight. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children was used to assess motor control in ability to perform everyday activities, and the spare-time activities in which the boys participated were recorded. Individually, the boys previously diagnosed with DAMP had a markedly higher total score (poor performance) than the boys without DAMP (P<0.001). The everyday activities of boys with DAMP were significantly affected, and they chose to participate in different sports from the control boys, i.e. none participated in team sports. The present study does not support the concept of improvements in motor control with age in children with DAMP.