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Updated: Jan 6, 2026
Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System ANS Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges
Published on: February 25, 2016
Children with developmental coordination disorder exhibit altered cardiac autonomic control at rest and during
Tatiane T G Draghi1, Jorge L Cavalcante Neto2, Natália S Valverde3
1Centro Universitario Nossa Senhora do Patrocinio, Itu, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Insights
Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) show impaired cardiac autonomic control during rest and orthostatic stress. This autonomic dysfunction was observed before the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT).
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Cardiology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Autonomic Nervous System Function
Background:
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting motor skills.
- Autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation is crucial for physiological responses during physical activity.
- Limited research exists on cardiac autonomic control in children with DCD during exercise and recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cardiac autonomic control in children with DCD compared to typically developing (TD) peers.
- To assess ANS function at rest, during orthostatic stress, and during/after aerobic exercise (6-Minute Walk Test).
- To evaluate physical activity levels and performance in the 6MWT for both groups.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 47 children (21 with DCD).
- Cardiac autonomic control assessed via heart rate variability (HRV) using Polar® V800.
- HRV measured at rest (supine, orthostatic), during the 6MWT, and during recovery; physical activity assessed using a questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Children with DCD exhibited significant alterations in cardiac autonomic control during orthostatic stress (increased LFnu, decreased HFnu).
- Significant differences in ANS function were also noted during exercise in the DCD group (decreased Δ2LFnu, increased Δ2HFnu).
- No significant differences were found in 6MWT distance or self-reported physical activity levels between groups.
Conclusions:
- Children with DCD demonstrate impaired cardiac autonomic control at rest.
- Autonomic dysfunction in DCD is evident before the 6MWT, particularly during orthostatic rest.
- These findings highlight potential cardiovascular regulation challenges in children with DCD.
Objective:
To analyze the cardiac autonomic control at rest, during, and after aerobic activity and assess the physical activity and performance of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), and Typically Developing children (TD) in the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT).
Methods:
Forty-seven children participated in this case-control study, 21 with DCD. Cardiac autonomic control was assessed using heart rate variability using the Polar® V800 at rest in supine orthostatic postures, during the 6MWT, and during recovery seated in a chair. Physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children.
Results:
Children with DCD presented significant alterations in cardiac autonomic control during orthostatic (increased LFnu, p = 0.016; decreased HFnu, p = 0.016) and exercise (decreased Δ2LFnu, p = 0.002; and increased Δ2HFnu, p = 0.002) compared with children with TD. However, no significant differences in distance covered on the 6MWT or physical activity were observed.
Conclusion:
Children with DCD presented impaired cardiac autonomic control at rest and during the orthostatic rest stimulus before the 6MWT.
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