Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 3, 2026
Evaluating Postural Control and Lower-extremity Muscle Activation in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability
Published on: September 18, 2020
Postural Control of Anteroposterior and Mediolateral Sway in Children With Probable Developmental Coordination
Fu-Chen Chen1, Chia-Liang Tsai, Wen-Dien Chang
1Department of Recreational Sport & Health Promotion (Dr Chen), National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung County, Taiwan; Institute of Physical Education, Health, and Leisure Studies (Dr Tsai), National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, Taiwan; Department of Sports Medicine (Dr Chang), China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan; Department of Kinesiology (Mr Li), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Adapted Physical Activity (Dr Chou), National Taiwan Sport University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan; and Department of Sport Performance (Dr Wu), National Taiwan University of Physical Education and Sports, Taichung, Taiwan.
Purpose:
To examine postural control of anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral sway of children with probable developmental coordination disorder (pDCD) and children with typical development (TD).
Methods:
Forty-eight children (24 in each group) aged 11 to 12 years performed an aiming task, maintaining a laser beam within targets placed in 2 locations (front/side). Precision was compromised primarily by the control of mediolateral sway for the front target and by the control of AP sway for the side target. The task was performed with large and small targets.
Results:
In the side target condition, only (1) the TD group showed reduced AP sway in response to reduced target size, whereas the pDCD group increased AP sway, and (2) aiming performance for reduced target sizes deteriorated to a greater degree in the pDCD group than in the TD group.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest children with pDCD have specific deficits in controlling AP sway.
