Development Coordination Disorder Research Articles

Assessing Table Tennis Technical Proficiency in Individuals with Disabilities: A Scoping Review

Table tennis is a sport that is enjoyed by many, including those with physical and intellectual disabilities. This scoping review summarised the current test protocols for assessing table tennis technical proficiency in individuals with disabilities. Relevant articles were searched through four databases (Scopus, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) covering three key aspects: disability, table tennis, and technical proficiency. The search resulted in 14 studies included for data extraction, covering physical impairments, intellectual disability, and development coordination disorder. Almost all studies (93%) were conducted on well-trained para-table tennis athletes competing in high-level competitions. There exist protocols to assess service accuracy and stroke accuracy, hand–eye coordination, quality of specific skills and ball control, functional reach, and trunk rotation. The forehand topspin and backhand topspin drives were tested the most. Table tennis robots and video cameras are the common equipment used. Moving forward, future research should develop technical proficiency tests for players across all competency levels. The skill assessment criteria and scoring methods should be standardised and clearly explained. The validity and reliability of tests should be established. Lastly, there is great potential in using artificial intelligence to enhance the assessment of table tennis proficiency in individuals with disabilities.

Development of Normative Data of the Athletic Skill Track and Development Coordination Disorder Questionnaire in Children

Background: The escalating prevalence of pediatric obesity and the concomitant decline in physical activity levels have underscored the imperative to rigorously assess motor competencies in the younger demographic. The Athletic Skill Track (AST) and Development Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) are pivotal instruments in this context. However, normative benchmarks for these tools, particularly within the Pakistani pediatric milieu, remain inadequately delineated. Objective: This investigation aimed to establish preliminary normative benchmarks for AST and DCDQ among a cohort of children aged 4 to 12 years in Lahore, Pakistan. A secondary objective involved delineating gender disparities in test performance and elucidating the correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI) and test outcomes. Methods: Adopting a cross-sectional study framework, data were collated from an urban-based private school in Lahore, utilizing convenience sampling methods. The participant pool comprised 500 healthy children within the 4-12 age bracket. The research protocol encompassed anthropometric measurements and subsequent administration of AST and DCDQ. Data analysis was executed utilizing SPSS software, version 28.0. Results: The study unveiled a marked gender-based disparity in AST performance, with boys manifesting superior rapidity across all AST tracks (AST 1: Mean=21.84, SD=4.99; AST 2: Mean=22.66, SD=5.083; AST 3: Mean=20.23, SD=4.76). An age-progressive enhancement in test performance was evident, as reflected in the linear decrement in completion times for AST-1 and AST-2 with advancing age. This trend, however, exhibited deviations from extant literature in specific cohorts, particularly in nine-year-old participants. In the realm of DCDQ outcomes, a significant positive correlation with age was observed, suggesting developmental advancements in coordination skills. The gender analysis revealed that boys outperformed girls in DCDQ assessments (Boys: Mean=60.17, SD=5.87; Girls: Mean=57.45, SD=7.09). Conclusion: The present study enriches the extant body of knowledge by providing essential normative data for AST and DCDQ within a Pakistani pediatric population. It underscores notable gender and age-related variances in motor skills and coordination, offering critical insights for the formulation of targeted interventions and early detection strategies in motor skill development.

Knowledge of the Development Coordination Disorder of caregivers and Teachers in India

For the early diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder, there is a need to understand the salient features of the disorder among the children. There are few researchers tat evaluate the awareness of developmental coordination disorder among caregivers, teachers, medical professionals as well as allied health professional in Indian context. Online survey was completed by 100 participants, 20 caregivers, 30 school teachers, 30 allied health professionals and 20 medical professionals were completed the survey. Results of the study suggest that developmental coordination disorder is the least known disorder among majority of the caregivers and allied health professionals. However half of the sample was familiar with the term developmental coordination disorder but every participant were familiar with the term dyspraxia. Among all the participants, it has been documented that allied health professionals were more familiar with the characteristic features of developmental coordination disorder children. They were familiar with the motor coordination difficulty. Every participant demonstrates poor recognition of psychological effects in developmental coordination disorder. Low percentage of medical professionals reported that they were exposed to diagnose the children with developmental coordination disorder. Teachers play a vital role in evaluating the warning signs of the disorder and they believe that 80% of children in primary schools were lazy and have motor skill impairment. The study concludes that there is a need for appropriate service delivery and timely evaluation to prevent the development of co-morbidities associated with developmental coordination disorder.

The Relationship Between Developmental Coordination Disorder and Concurrent Deficits in Social Communication and Repetitive Behaviors Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), characterized by core deficits in social communication and restrictive behaviors, can exhibit concurrent motor incoordination and/or intellectual disability (ID). While pervasive delays in motor behavior are common, formal diagnosis of Development Coordination Disorder (DCD) is uncommon. It is not clear how DCD and ID impact core deficits in ASD. This study utilized the Simons Foundation SPARK cohort to describe the scope of motor incoordination among children with ASD and examine the interrelationships between DCD risk, ID, and ASD core deficits. 10,234 children with ASD, between the ages of 5 and 15 years, were included in the analysis. Parents completed online versions of the DCD Questionnaire (DCD-Q), Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) and Restrictive Behavior Scale (RBS-R). 85% of children with ASD had DCD-Q scores consistent with being at-risk for DCD, but only 14% reported a formal diagnosis. Children with ID exhibited significantly greater motor incoordination compared to children without ID (P < 0.001). Significantly, greater core deficits were identified in both children at-risk for DCD (P < 0.001) and with ID (P < 0.001). However, the effects of DCD risk were independent of ID and exhibited a medium effect size for SCQ (η2p = 0.063) and a small effect size for RBS-R (η2p = 0.04) scores. Collectively, study outcomes reinforce the pervasiveness of motor incoordination among children with ASD, both with and without concurrent ID, and provide further justification for the inclusion of motor behavior in the early intervention and prescription for children with ASD. LAY SUMMARY: This secondary data analysis of the Simons Foundation SPARK cohort found high rates (85%) of DCD risk among children with ASD. Deficits in motor coordination were greater among children with ASD with concurrent ID diagnoses. Meaningful differences in ASD core deficits (social communication and repetitive behaviors) were independently found in children at risk for DCD, both with and without ID. Autism Res 2021, 14: 804-816. © 2021 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Evaluation of Pulmonary function in children with development coordination disorder- Pilot study

Evaluation of Pulmonary function in children with development coordination disorder- Pilot study

A longitudinal examination of enjoyment of physical education in children with developmental coordination disorder through a physical literacy lens

By using children with developmental coordination disorder as a case study, the current study examines how several core domains of physical literacy interact and change over time in relation to enjoyment of physical education. Data from 2278 children (5% identified as probable development coordination disorder) were collected across six time points. Mixed effects models were conducted to examine the changes within and between individuals over time. A three-way interaction between perceived adequacy, time and probable developmental coordination disorder was found and indicated that the largest predictor of enjoyment was perceived adequacy (coefficient = .018, p < .01). The findings highlight the importance of fostering a physical education environment which is non-judgemental, positive, and encourages individual growth, as these are the greatest avenue for improving perceived adequacy and therefore, enjoyment.

Motor and verbal inhibitory control: Development and validity of the go/No-Go app test for children with development coordination disorder

A set of inhibitory control tasks for the smartphone (Go/No-Go App) was developed for typical children and children with development coordination disorder (DCD). The content, construct, and criterion validity was examined. The inhibitory control Go/No-Go App test is comprised of four tasks: auditory and visual stimuli with motor and verbal responses. Six experts in neuropsychology and 252 Brazilian children (139 boys; 113 girls) participated in the study, including a subgroup of children with DCD (n = 53). A high level of agreement for clarity and pertinence was observed among the experts (Gwet’s Agreement Coefficients > .09), highlighting its content validity. Suitable Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega results were observed. The confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA) accepted the results for the Auditory-Motor (γ = .83), Visual-Motor (γ = .73), Auditory-Verbal (γ = .67) and Visual-Verbal (γ = .73) tasks. The model presented adequate adjustment indexes (Chi-square = .48, p = .787), 2/DF = .24; RMSEA = .00; GFI = .99; CFI = 1.00; AIC = 326.90. The Go/No-Go app is a test with adequate validity for the assessment of inhibition in children with DCD and may be very helpful due to the variation of the stimuli and the responses.

Systematic Review on Executive Functions in Children with Poor Motor Skills and With Development Coordination Disorder

The Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) can present itself in an isolated manner, with the child showing difficulties...

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with increased aquaporin-4 microparticles prior to autoantibodies in cerebrospinal fluid: a case report

BackgroundNeuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders are severe autoimmune inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system associated with the presence of immunoglobulin G antibodies against the water channel protein aquaporin-4. During exacerbation, specific aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G may be produced intrathecally. We measured extracellular aquaporin-4 microparticles in the cerebrospinal fluid of a patient who later developed the typical symptoms and signs of a neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.Case presentationA 17-year-old South American girl developed acute severe motor and vocal tics and difficulties in walking, peripheral numbness, muscle pain, and bilateral headache. At age 22, she had a multitude of motor and psychiatric symptoms. Over the years, she fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa, depression, sleep disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, development coordination disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, hypomania, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections, conversion disorder, psychosis, and schizotypal personality syndrome. At age 24, she was found to have elevated titers of aquaporin-4 antibodies in serum, suggestive of probable neuromyelitis optica. She subsequently developed visual impairment, and swollen optic nerves were verified by magnetic resonance imaging. She was thus treated with a chimeric monoclonal antibody targeted against the pan-B-cell marker CD20 (rituximab), and almost all symptoms, including the psychiatric symptoms, rapidly decreased. We found a significant increase of extracellular microparticles of aquaporin-4 in cerebrospinal fluid sampled from our patient when she was 22 years old, 2 years before the full clinical development of neuromyelitis optica.ConclusionsMicroparticles of aquaporin-4 represent subcellular arrangements that may influence the pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and may serve as biomarkers for the underlying cellular disturbances. The increase of aquaporin-4 microparticles in cerebrospinal fluid may be used for early diagnostic purposes; for prevention; and for evaluation of effective treatment, long-term follow-up studies, and elucidating the pathophysiology in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Further studies of aquaporin-4 microparticles in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neuromyelitis optica and similar neuropsychiatric disorders are thus called for.

Development of motor imagery and anticipatory action planning in children with developmental coordination disorder – A longitudinal approach

Children with impaired motor coordination (or Development Coordination Disorder – DCD) have difficulty with the predictive control of movements, evidenced by cross-sectional studies that show impaired motor imagery and action planning abilities. What remains unclear is whether this deficit in predictive control reflects immaturity of the motor system (a developmental delay) or some deviation from normal development (a disorder). To advance this discussion the present study used a longitudinal design to examine the development of motor imagery and action planning in children with DCD. Thirty children were included in the DCD group (aged 6–11years) and age- and gender-matched to 30 controls. The DCD group had a mABC-2 score≤16th percentile, the control group>20th percentile. Motor imagery was assessed with the hand rotation task, action planning with a test for end-state comfort. Children participated in three measurements, with one year in between measurements. Results showed that children with DCD were slower and less accurate than their typically developing peers in all subsequent years but were able to improve their motor imagery ability over time. Furthermore, children with DCD showed less planning for ESC at the start of the present study, but were able to catch up with their peers during two-year follow up. These results exemplify that improvement of motor imagery and action planning ability is possible in DCD, and they lend theoretical support to the use of new training techniques that focus on training motor imagery to improve motor skills in children with DCD.

Can the MABC discriminate and predict motor impairment? A comparison of Brazilian and American children

Background: Estimates of the prevalence of developmental coordination disorder range from 1.7% to 19%, raising concerns about the discriminative ability of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). Aims: We compared MABC performance of children aged 4–12 years from the USA and Brazil. We aimed to examine: a) the prevalence of motor impairment across countries; b) age band and sex differences across countries; c) the test's ability to discriminate and predict motor impairment; and d) to identify the discriminating capacity of each MABC subtest. Methods: Children (n=1055) from Brazil and the USA were included in the present study. MABC cut-off points (typical development: above 15%, at risk: 6–15%; developmental coordination disorder: 0–5%) and discriminant analyses were used. Findings: Prevalence of probable developmental coordination disorder (24.1%) and at risk (16.2%) was higher in the Brazilian sample. Higher prevalence of probable developmental coordination disorder was observed among girls and among children aged 11–12 years old for the Brazilian sample and among boys and among children aged 9–12 years old for the American sample. Differences in scores across countries were only observed for children with typical development in manual dexterity and balance skills. The MABC discriminant functions were able to predict the classification of children into typical development, at risk, and probable developmental coordination disorder. The manual dexterity subtest was the strongest predictor for both samples, whereas the ball skills subtest was the weakest predictor. Conclusions: Differences for prevalence were found across countries. American results were similar with current estimates relative to incidence and gender; for Brazilian children, prevalence was near three times higher and more persistent among girls. Overall, in both countries the motor difficulties demonstrated by children with probable and at risk of developmental coordination disorder were similar for all tasks. The MABC showed predictably and discriminant capacity in the identification of children with probable and at risk developmental coordination disorder in both countries.

Effect of Individual, Group and Cooperative Special Practices on the Cognitive Function of Children Aged 9-12 Years With Development Coordination Disorder

پژوهش حاضر با هدف تعیین تأثیر تمرینات ویژة انفرادی، گروهی و مشارکتی بر عملکرد اجتماعی و شناختی کودکان نه تا 12 سالة مبتلا به اختلال هماهنگی رشدی انجام گرفت و بدین‌منظور، 40 نفر از دانش‌آموزان پسر نه تا 12 ساله از مدارس ابتدایی مشهد انتخاب شدند. تشخیص اختلال هماهنگی رشدیبا استفاده از پرسش‌نامة دی.‌سی.‌دی.‌کیو و آزمون ام.‌ای.‌بی.‌سی2 و مصاحبة بالینی و تأیید روان‌پزشک صورت گرفت. شرکت‌کنندگان به چهار گروه (کنترل، انفرادی، گروهی و مشارکتی که از دو زیرگروه تشکیل شده بود) تقسیم شدند. گروه‌ها، تمرینات منتخب را به‌مدت 24 جلسه و هر جلسه 60 دقیقه انجام دادند. آزمودنی‌ها قبل و بعد از تمرینات به‌وسیله آزمون‌های ام.‌ای.‌بی.‌سی2، وایلند و آدمک گودیناف ارزیابی شدند و تحلیل داده‌ها با استفاده از تحلیل کواریانس چندمتغیره صورت گرفت. نتایج نشان داد تمریناتویژة انفرادی، گروهی و مشارکتی بر اختلال هماهنگی رشدی و عملکرد شناختی کودکان تأثیر معنا‌داری دارد (P<0.05)؛ اما بر عملکرد اجتماعی کودکان تأثیر معناداری ندارد (P<0.05). بنابراین، برنامه‌های تمرینی ویژة انفرادی، گروهی و مشارکتی به بهبود اختلال هماهنگی رشدی و عملکرد شناختی در کودکان دی.‌سی.‌دی کمک می‌کند.

How the Working Memory functioning? Influences in learning of children with typical development and development coordination disorder

Children with learning disabilities may have limitations on the ability to store and / or organize information properly handled and need for implementation of school and / or motor tasks. Working memory, also called short-term memory, cognition is a variable widely investigated in recent years. The objectives of this systematic literature review were: (1) verify the function of the components of working memory in school-age children; (2) verify the influence of working memory in cognitive performance and learning difficulties of children of school age; (3) verify the limitations of working memory in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder. The search for articles occurred between February and May 2013. The PubMed and EBSCO data, resulting in a total of 60 included articles were used. Working memory affects the learning and specific deficits are observed in school-age children with learning difficulties as well as in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

P43 – 2841: Development coordination disorder (DCD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as the initial presentation of bilateral fronto-parietal polymicrogyria type 2 (BFPP2) secondary to GPR56 mutation

Introduction Bilateral Fronto-Parietal Polymicrogyria type 1 (BFPP1; OMIM 606854) is an autosomic recessive affection usually linked to GPR56. Clinical (mental retardation, cerebellar signs, severe psychomotor delay and symptomatic generalized epilepsy) and radiological (bilateral fronto-parietal polymicrogyria with an anterior to posterior gradient with brainstem and cerebellar hypoplasia) signs are specific. Patients with BFPP without cerebellar or brainstem abnormalities (BFPP2) have a milder phenotype and are not linked to GPR56 mutation (Piao et al., 2005; Bahi-Buisson et al., 2010). We report here a patient with specific learning disorder (Development Coordination Disorder-DCD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-ADHD) that presented the radiological characteristics of BFPP2 and harbor a GPR56 mutation. Case report 4-year-old boy with a normal psychomotor and speech development, presenting awkwardness, learning difficulties and ADHD. Familial and personal history was unremarkable. Neurological examination was normal. Neuropsychological tests performed at 5.5 years showed DCD (Mouvement assessment Battery for Children-M-ABC scale –2SD and WPPSI-III: ICV=100, IRP=71, IVT=71 with severe dysgraphia) and ADHD. EEG was normal. He received a multidisciplinary rehabilitation and methylphenidate with an improvement of his learning disabilities even though he needed special school when he left kindergarten. When he was 7, he presented shock-like episodes with absences. Prolonged video-EEG showed 2Hz generalized spikes and waves, atypical absences and tonic seizures. Brain MRI revealed BFPP2. DNA analysis revealed compound heterozygoty in GPR56, parents where heterozygous for GPR56. Conclusion This case is, to our knowledge, the first case of BFPP2 phenotype presenting initially as a specific learning disorder and harbouring compound heterozigoty in GPR56.

Development Coordination Disorder in Children A Parent and Teacher Guide for Early Identification (Literature Review)

The most widely internationally term used to describe children with coordination difficulties is development coordination disorder (DCD). Developmental coordination disorder is usually first recognized when a child fails to reach such normal developmental milestones as walking or beginning to dress him- or herself and is diagnosed when children do not develop normal motor coordination (coordination of movements involving the voluntary muscles). The aim of this review is to find out; the impact of development coordination disorder in children, overleaping of DCD with other conditions and finally identification and classification of children with DCD. Children with DCD are a heterogeneous group. Any given child may present with a variety of different problems. Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is obvious when there is a marked impairment in the performance of motor skills in children. For a child with DCD, motor skills are very difficult and require more effort. The diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder is most commonly made when the child's parents or teachers notice that he or she is lagging behind peers in learning motor skills, or having learning problems in school. Identification of coordination motor difficulties (skills) is an important phase when observing children for possible development coordination disorder. These are: poor kinaesthetic acuity, poor visual perception, poor static balance and postural control, loss of information from visual-spatial short-term or working memory, poor attentional control, reduced strength and enhanced co-activation of muscles, slow movement preparation, enhanced spatial and temporal variability and, finally, slow feedback processing DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n4p203

Development Coordination Disorder in Children Need for Information in a Transitional Post-Communist Country in Southeastern Europe

The purpose of this essay/study is: to provide general information about past and actual situation in Albania (data from a study conducted in Tirana); to promote awareness of DCD in Albania in order to create a better understanding of the difficulties children and parents face. A large number of cities and rural areas in Albania do not have special education institutions and especially rural areas where resides about 46.3% of the population (Albanian Census Preliminary Results 2011). Effectiveness and work of the institutions leaves much to be desired. Also, heterogeneity of the children contingents and the problems they had to face has shown that these institutions have no clear profiles, an aspect which has result in lower quality work. Data from a cross sectional on 1177 children (619 boys and 558 girls) aged {7-10 years old; grade 1-4) randomly selected in Tirana, using body coordination test for children-KTK (Kiphard and Schilling 1974, 2007), show that children categorized at normal level represented only 30.5% of the entire sample, while almost half of the sample were categorized below the normal level as having moderate motor disorder. To be concerned is the number of children that fall into the level of severe motor disorder (19.4%) that will be the focus of future studies to be evaluated for having probably motor coordination disorder (possible DCD). In summary, increasing awareness of DCD and terminology used on parents and teachers is needed and providing effective and consistent management models based on a good evidence base to support families and children with DCD DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n4p459

Motor Abilities and Coping in Children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder

Introduction: This study was conducted in order to identify differences in motor abilities and coping in children with and without developmental coordination disorder. The study also discusses the relationship between coping and motor abilities. Method: A cross-sectional design with two independent groups was chosen to identify the differences. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children — second edition (Henderson et al 2007) was used to assess motor skills. Coping was evaluated with the Coping Inventory observation form (Adaptive Behaviour Index) (Zeitlin 1985). Results: Univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed significant differences between the motor abilities and coping efforts of children with and without developmental coordination disorder. Calculations using Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a significant correlation between coping and motor competences. In the overall model, boys and children with lower coping efforts were found more likely to be participants in the group with development coordination disorder. Conclusion: Children with coordination problems differ from typically developing children in their motor and coping abilities when rated by their parents. This highlights the importance of paying attention to the coping strategies and resources of children with developmental coordination disorder during therapy.

Predictive properties of the A-TAC inventory when screening for childhood-onset neurodevelopmental problems in a population-based sample

BackgroundIdentifying children with childhood-onset neurodevelopmental problems (NDPs, defined here as autism spectrum disorders [ASDs], attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [AD/HD], tic disorders [TDs], learning disorders [LDs] and development coordination disorder), using easily administered screening instruments, is a prerequisite for epidemiological research. Such instruments are also clinically useful to prioritize children for comprehensive assessments, to screen risk groups, and to follow controls.Autism–Tics, ADHD, and other Co-morbidities inventory (A-TAC) was developed to meet these requirements; here the A-TAC’s prospective and psychometric properties are examined, when used in a population-based, epidemiological setting.MethodsSince 2004, parents of all Swedish twins have been asked to take part in an ongoing, nation-wide twin study (The Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden). The study includes the A-TAC, carried out as a telephone interview with parents of twins aged 9 or 12. In the present study, screen-positive twins from three birth year cohorts (1993–1995) were invited to a comprehensive clinical follow-up (blinded for previous screening results) together with their co-twins and randomly selected, healthy controls at age 15 (Total N = 452).ResultsSensitivity and specificity of A-TAC scores for predicting later clinical diagnoses were good to excellent overall, with values of the area under the receiver operating characteristics curves ranging from 0.77 (AD/HD) to 0.91 (ASDs). Among children who were screen-positive for an ASD, 48% received a clinical diagnosis of ASDs. For AD/HD, the corresponding figure was also 48%, for LDs 16%, and for TDs 60%. Between 4% and 35% of screen-positive children did not receive any diagnosis at the clinical follow-up three years later. Among screen-negative controls, prevalence of ASDs, AD/HD, LDs, and TDs was 0%, 7%, 4%, and 2%, respectively.ConclusionsThe A–TAC appeared to be a valid instrument to assess NDPs in this population-based, longitudinal study. It has good-to-excellent psychometric properties, with an excellent ability to distinguish NDPs (mainly ASDs) from non-NDPs at least three years after the screening evaluations, although specific diagnoses did not correspond closely to actual clinical diagnoses.

Pulmonary function in children with development coordination disorder

The purpose of this study was to compare pulmonary function in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) with children who are typically developing (TD), and also analyze possible gender differences in pulmonary function between these groups. The Movement ABC test was used to identify the movement coordination ability of children. Two hundred and fifty participants (90 children with DCD and 160 TD children) aged 9–10 years old completed this study. Using the KoKo spirometry, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1.0) were used to measure pulmonary function. The 800-m run was also conducted to assess cardiopulmonary fitness of children in the field. There was a significant difference in pulmonary function between TD children and those with DCD. The values of FVC and FEV 1.0 in TD children were significantly higher than in children with DCD. A significant, but low correlation ( r = −0.220, p < .001) was found between total score on the MABC and FVC; similarly, a positive but low correlation ( r = 0.252, p < .001) was found between total score on the MABC and the completion time of 800-m run. However, no significant correlation between FVC and the time of 800-m run was found ( p > .05). Significant correlations between total score on the MABC and the completion time of the 800-m run ( r = 0.352, p < .05) and between FVC and the time of 800-m run ( r = −0.285, p < .05) were observed in girls with DCD but not boys with this condition. Based on the results of this study, pulmonary function in children with DCD was significantly lower than that of TD children. The field test, 800-m run, may not be a good indicator to distinguish aerobic ability between children with DCD and those who are TD. It is possible that poor pulmonary function in children with DCD is due to reduced physical activity in this population.

The influence of development coordination disorder (DCD) on the self-concept and anxiety of 7-9 year-old children

Literature indicates that children who experience motor problems may have a lower self-concept (Skinner & Piek, 2001) as well as higher anxiety (Rose et al., 1999) than children without movement problems. The aim of this study was to determine whether Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) has an influence on 7-9 year old children's self-concept and anxiety and to determine whether the extent of their motor problems will influence their self-concept and anxiety differently. Teachers identified 201 potential DCD candidates. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Henderson & Sugden, 1992) identified 66 with DCD (41 boys and 25 girls). Self-concept and anxiety were determined by the Tennessee Self- Concept Scale (Child Form) (Fitts & Warren, 1996) and Child Anxiety Scale (Gillis, 1980) respectively. A correlation matrix as well as independent t-tests were conducted in analyzing the results. Correlational analysis indicates relationships between motor proficiency, anxiety and self- concept. Children with moderate and severe DCD have normal anxiety but a non-significantly lower self-concept score than what is indicated as the normal range. Children with severe and moderate DCD do not, however, differ statistically significantly from one another with regard to anxiety and self-concept. Girls with severe DCD have a moderately significantly lower moral self- concept (p=0.09) than girls with moderate DCD. The results show that the self-concept of children between 7 and 9 years of age are negatively influenced by DCD. However, the severity of their motor problems does not influence their self- concept and anxiety differently, although a tendency of this was found among the girls, especially with regard to their moral self-concept. Keywords : self-concept, children, DCD African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance Vol. 12 (3) 2006: 310-322