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Impaired postural control in children with developmental coordination disorder is related to less efficient central
Merete B Speedtsberg1, Sofie B Christensen2, Ken Kjøller Andersen2
1Laboratory of Human Movement Analysis, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hvidovre University Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Biomechanics and Motor Control Lab., Integrated Physiology, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sport, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) exhibit impaired postural control due to less efficient central and peripheral neuromuscular control, affecting their balance. This study analyzed their center of pressure (CoP) movements.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Control
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects ~6% of primary school children.
- Impaired postural control is a key characteristic of DCD.
- The role of peripheral and central neuromuscular control in DCD balance is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the mechanisms behind impaired postural control in children with DCD.
- Utilize rambling-trembling decomposition of center of pressure (CoP) for analysis.
- Differentiate contributions of central and peripheral control to balance deficits.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 9 children with DCD and 10 typically developing (TD) children.
- Participants performed bipedal standing on a force plate under six sensory conditions.
- Measured sway length and calculated rambling-trembling decomposition of CoP in AP and ML directions.
Main Results:
- Children with DCD showed significantly larger rambling and trembling in both AP and ML directions.
- ML rambling trajectories were similar on a fixed support surface.
- DCD group exhibited a lower relative contribution of rambling to total sway in the ML direction.
Conclusions:
- Impaired postural control in DCD is linked to less efficient supraspinal control (increased rambling).
- Reduced spinal feedback or peripheral control (increased trembling) also contributes to DCD deficits.
- Findings highlight dual neuromuscular control impairments in children with DCD.
Background:
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental impairment that affects approximately 6% of children in primary school age. Children with DCD are characterized by impaired postural control. It has yet to be determined what effect peripheral and central neuromuscular control has on their balance control.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms to impaired postural control in children with DCD using the rambling-trembling decomposition of the center of pressure (CoP).
Method:
Nine children with DCD (9.0±0.5years, 7 boys, 2 girls) and 10 age- and gender-matched typically developing children (TD) with normal motor proficiency (9.1±0.4years, 7 boys and 3 girls) performed 3×30s bipedal standing on a force plate in six sensory conditions following the sensory organization procedure. Sway length was measured and rambling-trembling decomposition of CoP was calculated in medio-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) direction.
Results:
Both rambling and trembling were larger for the children with DCD in AP (p=0.031; p=0.050) and ML direction (p=0.025; p=0.007), respectively. ML rambling trajectories did not differ in any conditions with fixed support surface. In ML direction children with DCD had a lower relative contribution of rambling to total sway (p=0.013).
Conclusion:
This study showed that impaired postural control in children with DCD is associated with less efficient supraspinal control represented by increased rambling, but also by reduced spinal feedback control or peripheral control manifested as increased trembling.
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