The use of selected parameters of the mini-golf game for screening the motor assessment of children for Developmental Coordination Disorder — preliminary report

Abstract

Introduction: Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) affects from about 6% to even 8% of children. In Poland, this disorder is still very rarely diagnosed despite the existing motor problems in children. This may be due to a lack of awareness and knowledge about DCD. Education in this direction is recommended. Diagnostic criteria The DSM-V include: the achievement of motor skills manifested by clumsiness is inadequate to age, the influence of motor difficulties on the activities of daily living, the onset of symptoms in the early period, and the lack of explanation of the motor deficits present by disability. Aim: The study aimed to screen children for early symptoms of motor disorders characteristic of Developmental Coordination Disorder. It was assessed whether there are correlations between the results of the ABC-2 and BOT-2 motor tests and the results of the mini-golf set created for the study. Material and methods: 200 primary school children were tested using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children Second Edition (ABC-2), Bruininks- Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition (BOT-2) motor tests and a mini-golf set designed for the study. The obtained results were subject to statistical analysis. Results: The ABC-2 test showed that 87.5% of children had no motor difficulties. On the other hand, the remaining 12.5% have motor difficulties. In the results of the BOT 2-58%, there are no difficulties or they are insignificant, and significant difficulties are presented in 42%. The greater the overall BOT 2 score, the greater the average impact force. Additionally, it has been noticed that the larger the Aiming and Catching is, the lower the Average Impact Force. And the greater the Fine Manual Control, the lower the Average Ball Speed and Average Stroke Force. Conclusions: The difficulties examined in parametric tests are confirmed by the difficulties of the subjects with mini-golf. Thanks to the game of minigolf on a specially prepared field, you can explore; the number of strokes to place the ball in the hole, average ball speed, average impact force, the force of hitting the ball with the dominant and non-dominant upper limb. The assessed parameters can be used for the motor screening assessment of children.