Physiological characteristics, self-perceptions, and parental support of physical activity in children with, or at risk of, developmental coordination disorder.
Kids with DCD are less fit, have reduced strength, and get less parental logistic support—check these barriers before you prescribe exercise.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Researchers compared children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) to typically-developing peers. They measured grip strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and wore activity trackers for seven days.
Parents filled out surveys about how much they drive their child to sports, watch games, and encourage exercise. Kids rated their own athletic confidence.
What they found
The DCD group scored lower on every measure. They took fewer steps per day, showed lower cardiorespiratory fitness, and had reduced muscle strength.
Their parents provided significantly less logistic support—such as transportation to activities—and the kids saw themselves as "not sporty."
How this fits with other research
Engel-Yeger (2020) followed the same profile into adulthood: grown-ups with suspected DCD still report poorer quality of life in social, emotional, and physical domains. The child fitness gap E et al. found is the starting line for these long-term problems.
Capio et al. (2013) showed a severity gradient—kids with worse motor scores pile up more reading, attention, and daily-living issues. E et al. now add low strength and activity to that cascade, giving you a fuller picture of what "severe" looks like.
Chen et al. (2013) reminds us to double-check language skills: when they controlled for verbal IQ, the memory gap between DCD and typical kids vanished. Likewise, ask about language before assuming a child "won't listen" during motor tasks.
Why it matters
Before you write a movement goal, screen strength, fitness, and parental support. If rides, fees, or equipment are missing, build them into the plan. Start with small, confidence-boosting activities (grip games, short step-count targets) and teach parents exactly how to help. Fixing the logistics and self-concept early may prevent the long-term quality-of-life drop Engel-Yeger (2020) shows in adults.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Children with low movement proficiency have been identified as having poorer physiological and psychosocial outcomes; however, the varied measurement approaches used to assess these outcomes have varied resulting in conflicting evidence regarding the presence and magnitude of differences compared to Typically Developing (TD) children. Additionally, there has been limited research into the role of parental support for physical activity (PA) in this group. We compared children with varying levels of movement proficiency on physiological characteristics and self-perceptions regarding PA. In addition, these children's parents were compared on physiological characteristics and support of their children's PA. Children (N = 117) aged 6 to 12 years, along with their parent/guardian, participated in this study. Children were classified according to the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 test (Typically Developing (TD) = 60; At Risk = 19; Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) = 38). Children's PA, muscle strength, cardio-respiratory fitness (CRF), body composition, and self-perceptions regarding PA were assessed, with parents assessed on CRF, body composition, and PA support. Compared to TD children, children with DCD had lower PA (p = 0.036), predilection (p ≤0.001) and adequacy (p ≤0.001) regarding PA, higher body fat percentage (p = 0.019), and received less logistic support (i.e., transportation) from their parents (p = 0.012). TD children had increased muscle strength compared to the DCD (p ≤ 0.001) and At Risk (p ≤ 0.001) groups. Results indicated that, relative to TD children, children with DCD have multiple physiological deficits, receive less parental logistic support for PA involvement, and report lower scores on psychological constructs that are predictive of PA involvement.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2019 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2018.05.013