Reaching and grasping a moving target is impaired in children with developmental coordination disorder

To investigate the performance of reaching and grasping a moving target in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).

Sixteen children with DCD and 11 age-matched controls were instructed to reach and grasp a toy car that was sliding down an 8° or 15° slope. Reaction time (RT), movement time (MT), and peak force (PF) were recorded.

Children with DCD failed 35% of total test trials. Within the successful trials, children with DCD had significantly longer RTs and MTs and generated larger PF than control children (P < .05). When the slope increased from 8° to 15°, both groups of children could adjust MT and PF (P < .01).

Children with DCD were slower and generated larger force to reach and grasp a moving target than their age-matched peers. However, the ability to modify the MT and grip force appeared to be preserved in children with DCD.