Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
Published on: July 27, 2022
The Coordination and Activity Tracking in CHildren (CATCH) study: rationale and design
John Cairney1,2,3, Cheryl Missiuna4,5, Brian W Timmons6,7
1Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, David Braley Health Sciences Centre, 100 Main Street West, 5th Floor, Hamilton, ON, L8P 1H6, Canada. cairnej@mcmaster.ca.
Insights
Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are less active, impacting fitness and health. The CATCH study tracks DCD, physical activity, and fitness from early childhood to understand these connections.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Developmental Disorders
- Exercise Science
Background:
- Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) exhibit reduced physical activity, termed "activity deficit."
- This inactivity may lead to lower physical fitness, increased overweight/obesity risk, and future cardiovascular issues.
- Previous research, often cross-sectional, limits understanding of the interplay between motor skills, activity, and fitness in DCD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally examine the pathways connecting DCD, physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition.
- To investigate the relationship between motor ability, inactivity, and health-related fitness from early to middle childhood.
- To establish precedence among these factors to inform targeted interventions.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 600 children (aged 4-5 years): 300 probable DCD (pDCD) and 300 controls.
- Annual assessments for 4 years, including motor skills, cognitive ability, anthropometry, fitness, body composition, and physical activity (accelerometry).
- Parental questionnaires on demographics, child's activity, behavior, and ADHD index; food diaries and self-efficacy measures included.
Main Results:
- (Study ongoing, results to be published)
Conclusions:
- The CATCH study aims to elucidate the complex relationships between DCD and health-related fitness.
- Findings will inform the development of effective interventions for children with DCD.
- Understanding these pathways is crucial for improving long-term health outcomes in this population.
Background:
Past studies have found that children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) engage in less physical activity than typically developing children. This "activity deficit" may result in children with DCD being less physically fit and more likely to be overweight or obese, potentially increasing later risk for poor cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, the majority of DCD research has been limited to cross-sectional designs, leading to questions about the complex relationship among motor ability, inactivity and health-related fitness. Of the few longitudinal studies on the topic, determining precedence amongst these factors is difficult because study cohorts typically focus on mid to late childhood. By this age, both decreased physical fitness and obesity are often established. The Coordination and Activity Tracking in CHildren (CATCH) study will examine the pathways connecting DCD, physical activity, physical fitness, and body composition from early to middle childhood.
Methods:
The CATCH study is a prospective cohort study. We aim to recruit a cohort of 600 children aged 4 to 5 years (300 probable DCD [pDCD] and 300 controls) and test them once a year for 4 years. At Phase 1 of baseline testing, we assess motor skills, cognitive ability (IQ), basic anthropometry, flexibility and lower body muscle strength, while parents complete an interview and questionnaires regarding family demographics, their child's physical activity, and behavioural characteristics. Children who move on to Phase 2 (longitudinal cohort) have their body fat percentage, foot structure, aerobic and anaerobic fitness assessed. An accelerometer to measure physical activity is then given to the child and interested family members. The family also receives an accelerometer logbook and 3-day food dairy. At years 2 to 4, children in the longitudinal cohort will have all baseline assessments repeated (excluding the IQ test), and complete an additional measure of perceived self-efficacy. Parents will complete an ADHD index twice within the follow-up period. To assess the association between DCD, fitness and adiposity, our primary analysis will involve longitudinal growth models with fixed effects.
Discussion:
The CATCH study will provide a clearer understanding of pathways between DCD and health-related fitness necessary to determine the types of interventions children with DCD require.
