The difference and relationship between Developmental Coordination Disorder and health related fitness in 10- to 11-year-old South African children : the NW-CHILD study

Abstract

Various researchers reported that children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) are more likely to be overweight and obese than their typically developing peers. Furthermore, several studies have found that children with DCD have overall lowered levels of health-related fitness. The aims of this dissertation were firstly to determine the relationship between motor proficiency and body composition (including stature, body mass, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference and skinfolds) in 10-11-year-old children; and secondly to determine difference in health-related fitness components (cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and muscular endurance) between children with low motor proficiency and typically developing (TD) children in the North West Province. To determine the first objective, the “Movement Assessment Battery for Children, second edition” (MABC-2) was used. Stature, body mass, waist circumference and skinfolds were used to determine body composition. The second objective was determined by using the MABC-2, Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2) and the Progressive Aerobic Capacity Endurance Run (PACER). One hundred and forty-six participants formed part of the study, where 23 were identified with probable DCD (p-DCD) and 123 were TD. The data was processed with the SPSS computer software. A Spearman correlation was used to determine the relationship between the MABC-2 scores and body composition. Secondly, independent t-tests were conducted, and effect sizes were calculated to determine the differences between children with p-DCD and TD children in health-related fitness. The results indicated no significant relation between body fat percentage, BMI, waist circumference and MABC-2 outcomes. The results also showed significant differences between p-DCD and TD children in fitness scores such as running speed and agility (p=0.005, d=0.67) and strength (p=0.005, d=0.8). From the results it can be concluded that children with p-DCD show lower health-related fitness than TD children. It is recommended that programs be developed that can address these health concerns in children with coordination difficulties.