Motor Intervention for Preschooler With Motor Coordination Deficits

Impact of Motor Coordination Deficits in Preschool Children: Effects of Motor Intervention

This research project aims to examine the impact of motor coordination deficits and the effects of motor intervention on preschool-aged children's perceived competence, health-related physical fitness, activity participation and physical activity. Eighty children, aged 4-6 years,with or without motor coordination deficits will be recruited and assigned to to motor intervention (DCD-t), control 1 (DCD-c) or control 2 (TD) group. Children in the intervention group will receive motor intervention for 12 weeks. All children will be assessed at baseline, 0-, 3- and 6-month post-intervention.

This research project aims to examine the impact of motor coordination deficits on preschool-aged children's perceived competence, health-related physical fitness, activity participation and physical activity. Furthermore, the investigators are to investigate the effects of motor intervention on children's competence and participation during preschool age. This study plans to recruit 40 children with motor coordination deficits, aged 4-6 years, and 40 age- and gender-matched typically developing children. Children with motor coordination deficits will further be randomly assigned to motor intervention (DCD-t) or control (DCD-c) group. At baseline assessment, all children will be assessed for motor coordination competence, self-perception of competence, health-related physical fitness and daily activity participation. Physical activity will also be quantitatively measured using accelerometry. During the intervention phase, children in the DCD-t group will receive task-oriented motor intervention combined with fitness training three times per week while children in the DCD-c group remain usual activities. All children will be re-assessed at 0-, 3- and 6-month post-intervention. Repeated Measures ANOVA will be applied to examine the differences of motor competence, self-perception, fitness and activity participation among the 3 groups of children and over the 9-month period. The effects of motor intervention on DCD children's competence and participation will also be examined.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged 4 to 6 years
• motor coordination competence < 15%ile comparing to norms for motor-deficit group or > 30%ile for healthy group

Exclusion Criteria:

• genetic and chromosome deficits
• neurological or neuromuscular disorders
• congenital musculoskeletal disorders
• fracture in the past 6 months
• other conditions that affect the child's participation in physical activities