Static Balance and Motor Imagery Abilities in Preschool Children with Probable Developmental Coordination Disorder

To investigate the association between static balance and motor imagery (MI) abilities in preschool children with probable developmental coordination disorder (pDCD).

The participants were 28 children aged 3-6 years, attending a child development support center. They were categorized into the pDCD and control groups based on their Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition score. Static balance ability was measured using a gravity sway meter to compare performance under eyes-opened and eyes-closed standing conditions. MI ability was assessed using the N-type test.

Compared with the controls (static balance; n = 10, MI; n = 14), children with pDCD (static balance; n = 13, MI; n = 14) showed significantly greater center of pressure (COP) displacement in eyes-closed standing condition and lower scores on the N-type test. A significant negative correlation (-0.59) was observed between MI ability and COP displacement during eyes-closed standing condition in the pDCD group, indicating that the poorer MI ability accompanied the worse static balance ability in this population.

Preschool children with pDCD have poor static balance ability with their eyes closed, which may be related to their MI ability. These findings emphasize the importance of the early detection of pDCD and suggest that symptoms may be alleviated by understanding the condition and providing appropriate support.