The effect of motor skills training on self-perceived physical competence in children with developmental coordination disorder

Abstract

PURPOSE: Positive self-perceptions of physical competence are important for persistent motor attempts and physical activity in children. Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) who are diagnosed as having motor impairments exhibit low self-perceived physical competence (SPC). Fundamental movement skills (FMS) are foundations for developing more complex movements. This study determined whether FMS training in children with DCD resulted in improved SPC when compared to typically developing (TD) children. METHODS: Participants include 84 children (7-10 years) who were allocated into either FMS training group (22 DCD-FMS, 17 TDFMS) or control (C) group who underwent regular physical education lessons (16 DCD-C, 29 TD-C). FMS training was conducted within a school setting for 6 weeks, twice per week and 35 minutes per session. FMS proficiency was tested using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2, while SPC was measured using the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire. Testing was conducted three times (i.e., baseline, 7th-week, 13th-week). Repeated-measured ANCOVA was used to determine the effect of the intervention. RESULTS: At baseline, children with DCD showed poorer FMS and SPC than TD children. Post- intervention, the DCD-FMS group scored significantly higher in jumping (7th-week) and catching (both 7th-week and13rd-week) when compared to the DCD-C group (both p<.05). FMS training groups (DCD-FMS, TD-FMS) showed significantly higher self-perceived physical coordination, physical strength, and physical fitness than the control groups at 7 weeks post-intervention (all p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: FMS training can effectively improve jumping and catching in children with DCD and improved some SPC variables in both children with DCD and TD children.