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Measuring Motor Coordination in Mice
Published on: May 29, 2013
Development of bilateral motor control in children with developmental coordination disorders
J Huh1, H G Williams, J R Burke
1Department of Physical Education, Dankook University, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Children with developmental coordination disorders (DCD) exhibit slower movement times and distinct neuromuscular patterns during aiming tasks compared to typically developing peers. These differences highlight motor control system variations in DCD.
Area of Science:
- Motor Control
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects motor skill acquisition in children.
- Understanding motor control differences is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research often focused on gross motor skills, with less emphasis on fine motor aiming tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare behavioral and neuromuscular (EMG) characteristics of unilateral and bilateral aiming movements in children with and without DCD.
- To investigate age-related differences in motor control within these groups.
- To identify specific motor control deficits associated with DCD during complex aiming tasks.
Main Methods:
- Participants included children aged 6-7 and 9-10 years, divided into DCD and normal motor development groups.
- Behavioral measures included movement time for unilateral and bilateral (symmetrical/asymmetrical) aiming tasks.
- Neuromuscular activity was assessed using electromyography (EMG) to analyze muscle activation patterns.
Main Results:
- Children with DCD and younger children demonstrated significantly slower movement times for both unilateral and bilateral tasks.
- Neuromuscular data revealed prolonged agonist activity and delayed antagonist onset in children with DCD.
- Children with DCD exhibited more performance errors and temporal inconsistencies in bilateral movements.
Conclusions:
- Faster movement times with age correlate with improved antagonist muscle activation.
- Specific neuromuscular patterns in DCD, such as delayed antagonist activity, contribute to motor deficits.
- Significant differences exist in the motor control organization of bilateral aiming movements between children with and without DCD.
Abstract:
This research examined behavioral (i.e. movement time) and neuromuscular (EMG) characteristics of unilateral and bilateral aiming movements of children with normal motor development and children with developmental coordination disorders (DCD). Two age groups of children were studied: 6 to 7, and 9 to 10 year olds. Bilateral aiming movements involved moving the two hands to targets of either (1) the same amplitude--symmetrical bilateral movements, or (2) different amplitudes--asymmetrical bilateral movements. Unilateral aiming movements involved moving one hand to either near or far targets associated with that hand. In general, unilateral and bilateral movement times were slower in younger than older children, and in children with DCD than children with normal motor development. Our neuromuscular data suggest that the faster movement times that typically accompany increasing age in children may be the result of a change in the capacity to initiate antagonist muscle contractions. The prolonged burst of agonist activity and delayed onset of antagonist activity observed in children with DCD may contribute to their inability to produce fast, accurate unilateral movements. On both symmetrical and asymmetrical bilateral aiming movements, children with DCD had more performance errors and greater temporal inconsistencies between neuromuscular (EMG) parameters and behavioral (movement time) parameters than children with normal motor development. These new neuromuscular data suggest that there are important differences in the way the motor control systems of children with and without DCD organize bilateral aiming responses.
