Article

Postural control is a fundamental component of action in which deficits have
been shown to contribute to motor difficulties in children with developmental
coordination disorder (DCD). The purpose of this study was to examine
anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) in children with DCD in a bimanual
load-lifting task. METHOD: Sixteen children with reported motor problems (two
females, 14 males; mean age 9 y; SD 2 y) and 16 typically developing, age-matched
children (six females, 10 males; mean age 9 y; SD 2 y) took part in the study.
The task required the children to maintain a stable elbow angle, despite imposed
or voluntary unloading of the forearm. APAs were assessed using electromyography
and kinematics analysis. RESULTS: Although children with DCD could compensate for
the consequences of unloading, the results demonstrated that APAs were less
efficient in children with DCD than in typically developing children. A positive
and significant coefficient of regression between the flexor inhibition latency
and the postural stabilization was only found in typically developing children.
INTERPRETATION: The impaired fine-tuning of the muscle contribution and the poor
stabilization performances demonstrate poor predictive modelling in DCD.

Langue : ANGLAIS