Autonomous nervous system modulation in supine and standing postures in children with probable developmental...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pediatrics
• Human Physiology

Background:

• Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is linked to poor physical fitness and psychosocial issues.
• Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) dysfunction is associated with adverse health outcomes, including reduced aerobic capacity and increased stress.
• Investigating ANS modulation in children with DCD, considering factors like physical fitness and stress, is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) modulation in children with probable-DCD (p-DCD) during postural changes (supine to standing).
• To evaluate the influence of stress and anxiety symptoms on ANS modulation in children with p-DCD.
• To compare ANS function between children with p-DCD and typically developing (TD) children.

Main Methods:

• Thirty children aged 8-12 years were divided into p-DCD and TD groups, matched for age, gender, aerobic power, and BMI.
• Participants underwent stress/anxiety questionnaires and heart rate variability (HRV) analysis (spectral, symbolic, complexity) during supine and standing postures.
• HRV assessed ANS modulation, reflecting parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system activity.

Main Results:

• Children with p-DCD reported higher stress symptoms than TD children.
• No significant differences in HRV-based ANS modulation were found between p-DCD and TD groups during postural changes.
• Both groups demonstrated expected ANS patterns: parasympathetic dominance in supine and sympathetic dominance in standing.

Conclusions:

• Children with p-DCD show comparable autonomic control to TD children during postural transitions.
• Stress and anxiety symptoms in children with p-DCD did not appear to negatively impact their ANS modulation.
• Aerobic fitness and BMI may act as protective factors for ANS modulation in children with p-DCD.