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Differences in postural control and movement performance during goal directed reaching in children with developmental
Leanne M Johnston1, Yvonne R Burns, Sandra G Brauer
1Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Queensland 4072, Australia. l.johnston@shrs.uq.edu.au
Human Movement Science
|March 7, 2003
Summary
Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) exhibit delayed responses and altered muscle activity, impacting arm movement control. This suggests poor postural stability contributes to coordination difficulties in children with DCD.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Movement Science
Background:
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is characterized by upper-limb coordination deficits.
- Deviant muscle timing in proximal muscles is hypothesized to impair postural and movement control in DCD.
- The link between muscle timing, arm motion, and upper-limb coordination in children with DCD remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between upper-limb motor skill difficulties and neuromuscular components of postural stability and coordination in children.
- To examine muscle activity timing and arm movement during goal-directed tasks in children with and without DCD.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-four children (8-10 years old), 32 with DCD and 32 without, participated.
- Muscle activity timing and arm movement were assessed during a rapid, voluntary, goal-directed arm movement task.
- Electromyography was used to analyze muscle activation patterns.
Main Results:
- Children with DCD showed significantly longer reaction times and movement completion times.
- Altered postural muscle activity was observed in children with DCD, including early activation in shoulder and posterior trunk muscles, and delayed activation in anterior trunk muscles.
- Anticipatory activity was absent in most anterior trunk muscles in children with DCD.
Conclusions:
- Altered postural muscle activity in children with DCD may contribute to poor proximal stability and impaired arm movement control.
- These findings support the hypothesis linking deviant muscle timing to coordination deficits in DCD.
- Results have implications for educational, daily living, and clinical interventions for children with DCD.