Can children with developmental coordination disorder adapt to task constraints when catching two-handed?
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1Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Institute of Membrane and Systems Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, UK. s.l.astill@leeds.ac.uk
Insights
Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) show different limb coordination during catching tasks compared to typically developing peers. Task constraints impact their motor solutions, highlighting the need for individualized rehabilitation approaches.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric motor control
- Developmental neuroscience
- Rehabilitation science
Background:
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects motor skills in children.
- Understanding interlimb coordination is crucial for motor development.
- Task constraints can influence motor performance in children with DCD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare inter and intralimb coupling during two-handed catching in children with DCD and typically developing peers (AMC).
- To investigate the effect of manipulating task constraints on limb coupling in these groups.
Main Methods:
- Twenty children (7-10 years), 10 with DCD and 10 AMC, participated.
- Participants attempted to catch a ball under three conditions: midline, left shoulder, and right shoulder.
- 3D kinematic and video data were collected to analyze limb coupling.
Main Results:
- Children with DCD caught significantly fewer balls than AMC children.
- DCD group showed increased limb linkage in midline catching (C1) but decreased coupling in shoulder-directed catches (C2, C3).
- Age-related differences in interlimb coupling were observed within the AMC group.
Conclusions:
- Task constraints and individual differences in children with DCD significantly influence motor solutions.
- Rehabilitation strategies should consider these factors for effective functional movement training.
- Tailored approaches can help children with DCD develop better motor skills for daily life.
Purpose:
To compare the nature and extent of inter and intralimb coupling during two-handed catching and the effect of manipulating task constraints in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and their typically developing peers (AMC).
Method:
Twenty children aged 7 - 10 years, ten with DCD and 10 AMC attempted to catch a ball ten times in condition 1 (C1), ball to the midline; condition 2 (C2), ball to the left shoulder and condition 3 (C3), ball to the right shoulder. Both 3D kinematic data and video data were collected.
Results:
Children with DCD caught fewer balls than the AMC children, regardless of age or condition (p
Conclusions:
The influence of manipulating task constraints and the individual nature of children with DCD must be considered by those involved in rehabilitation. By doing so, children with DCD may search for appropriate motor solutions to many functional movement tasks required for everyday life.
