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

Area of Science:

• Pediatric neurology
• Developmental psychology
• Motor control

Background:

• Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects motor skills in children.
• Static balance and motor imagery (MI) are crucial for development.
• Understanding the relationship between these skills in children with probable DCD (pDCD) is important.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between static balance and MI abilities in preschool children with pDCD.
• To compare balance and MI performance between children with pDCD and typically developing controls.

Main Methods:

• 28 preschool children (aged 3-6 years) were assessed.
• Participants were grouped into pDCD and control based on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition.
• Static balance was measured using a gravity sway meter (eyes-open and eyes-closed).
• MI ability was assessed using the N-type test.

Main Results:

• Children with pDCD demonstrated significantly greater center of pressure (COP) displacement in eyes-closed standing compared to controls.
• Children with pDCD scored lower on the N-type MI test.
• A significant negative correlation (-0.59) was found between MI ability and COP displacement in the pDCD group.

Conclusions:

• Preschool children with pDCD show impaired static balance with eyes closed, potentially linked to their MI abilities.
• Early detection and appropriate support are crucial for managing pDCD symptoms.
• Findings suggest targeting MI interventions may benefit static balance in children with pDCD.