Brent E. Faught

Developmental coordination disorder, sex, and activity deficit over time: a longitudinal analysis of participation trajectories in children with and without coordination difficulties

Aim  Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are known to participate in active play less than typically developing children. However, it is not known whether the activity deficit between children with and without DCD widens or diminishes over time.

Trajectories of relative weight and waist circumference among children with and without developmental coordination disorder

Background: Children with developmental coordination disorder have been found to be less likely to participate in physical activities and therefore may be at increased risk of overweight and obesity. We examined the longitudinal course of relative weight and waist circumference among school-aged children with and without possible developmental coordination disorder. Methods: We received permission from 75 (83%) of 92 schools in southwestern Ontario, Canada, to enrol children in the fourth grade (ages 9 and 10 at baseline). Informed consent from the parents of 2278 (95.8%) of 2378 children in these schools was obtained at baseline. The main outcome measures were body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Children were followed up over two years, from the spring of 2005 to the spring of 2007. Results: Over the course of the study, we identified 111 children (46 boys and 65 girls) who had possible developmental coordination disorder. These children had a higher mean BMI and waist circumference at baseline than did those without the disorder; these differences persisted or increased slightly over time. Children with possible developmental coordination disorder were also at persistently greater risk of overweight (odds ratio [OR] 3.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.34–5.07) and obesity (OR 4.00, 95% CI 2.57–6.21) over the course of the study. Interpretation: Our findings showed that children with possible developmental coordination disorder were at greater risk of overweight and obesity than children without the disorder. This risk did not diminish over the study period.

Gender, perceived competence and the enjoyment of physical education in children: a longitudinal examination

BackgroundThe current study examined associations between gender, perceived athletic competence, and enjoyment of physical education (PE) class over time in a cohort of children enrolled in grade four (ages 9 or 10) at baseline (n = 2262).MethodsWe assessed each student 5 times over a period of 2 years. We used mixed effects modeling to examine change over time in enjoyment of PE.ResultsEnjoyment of PE declined among girls but remained constant among boys. Higher levels of perceived competence were associated with higher PE enjoyment. A 3-way interaction between gender, competence, and time revealed that PE enjoyment was lowest and declined most markedly among girls with low perceived athletic competence. Among boys with low competence, enjoyment remained at a consistently low level.ConclusionsOur results indicate that lower perceived athletic competence is associated with low enjoyment of PE, and, among girls, with declining enjoyment. Findings suggest that interventions in a PE context that target perceived competence should be considered in future work.

Developmental coordination disorder and reported enjoyment of physical education in children

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are less likely to enjoy participating in physical education (PE) than children without motor coordination difficulties. However, no studies have attempted to quantify this relationship or examine potentially modifiable mediating variables. Using a large sample (N = 590) of children (aged 9 to 14), we examine differences in the enjoyment of PE classes between children with DCD and those without using a standardized measure. We also examine whether differences in perceived adequacy towards physical activity, body fat and fitness explain why children with DCD score lower on this scale. Of all these measures, perceived adequacy accounts for the largest proportion of the effect of DCD on enjoyment. Interventions aimed at improving enjoyment of PE for children with DCD should target perceptions of their abilities with regard to physical pursuits.

Trajectories of cardiorespiratory fitness in children with and without developmental coordination disorder: a longitudinal analysis

Objective To compare the longitudinal trajectories of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in children with probable developmental coordination disorder (DCD) with those of typically developing children. Setting School-based study, conducted in a large region of Ontario, Canada. 75 out of a possible 92 schools (83%) consented to participate. Participants A cohort of children, enrolled in grade 4 (mean 9 years 11 months; SD 0.05) at baseline (n=2278) were followed twice-yearly over a 2-year period. Measures The short form of the Bruininks–Oseretsky test of motor proficiency was used to identify children with probable DCD and the Leger shuttle run to measure maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Results Mixed-effects modelling was used to estimate the change over time in predicted VO2max for both children with probable DCD and typically developing children. For all children, VO2max declined over time. Children (boys and girls) with probable DCD not only had lower VO2max at baseline compared with typically developing children, VO2max declined among these children at a much steeper rate. Conclusion Although previous research has found children with DCD to have poor CRF compared with typically developing children, most of this work has relied on cross-sectional designs to examine group differences. The results of this study confirm that differences in CRF between children with and without probable DCD persist over time, highlighting the concern that DCD is a risk factor for poor cardiovascular health in children.

Comparison of VO2 maximum obtained from 20 m shuttle run and cycle ergometer in children with and without developmental coordination disorder.

Oxygen consumption at peak physical exertion (VO(2) maximum) is the most widely used indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness. The purpose of this study was to compare two protocols for its estimation, cycle ergometer testing and the 20 m shuttle run, among children with and without probable developmental coordination disorder (pDCD). The shuttle run test was conducted during regular school hours, usually in the gymnasium. Children were then invited to a lab to complete the cycle ergometer protocol. Children were categorized as possible cases of DCD using the Movement-ABC-2. The analysis was performed using cut-points at both the 5th (n=38) and 15th (n=51) percentiles. The average age of children in the study was 12 years (SD=0.5). Children with pDCD had poorer VO(2) maximum when compared to typically developing children based on both the shuttle run and the cycle ergometer. The correlation between tests is in the moderate to high range (r=0.71, p<0.001); 0.78 for girls, and 0.73 for boys. The overall difference in correlations between typically developing children and children with pDCD based on the 15th percentile was 0.12 (p=0.27). For children with pDCD based on the 5th percentile however, the difference between groups was larger (difference in r=0.25), and was statistically significant (p=0.02). In multivariate analyses, there was no difference in the effect of the shuttle run results in predicting VO(2) maximum obtained through the cycle ergometer test for children with pDCD compared to those without the condition. Regardless of the test, the patterns of association between children with pDCD and typically developing children were the same reinforcing the findings of previous field-based reports. Moderate to good correlations, at the 15th percentile cut-point, between tests suggests that the shuttle run test is a reliable substitute in this population when lab based assessments of VO(2) maximum are not feasible.

Cardiovascular disease risk in adolescent smokers: evidence of a 'smoker lifestyle'

This study assessed the prevalence of traditional cardiovascular disease risk factors in 119 adolescent smokers, compared to an age-matched sample of non-smokers. Participants were assessed for body mass index (BMI), relative body fat, systolic/diastolic/mean arterial blood pressure, total serum cholesterol, aerobic fitness, family (parents or siblings) smoking habits and history of cardiovascular disease. The results showed that BMI and relative body fat were significantly increased, while aerobic fitness was significantly decreased in smokers. Male smokers further demonstrated increased diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure. Smokers also showed increased prevalence for family smoking habits and cardiovascular disease history. Prevalence rates for all other cardiovascular disease risk factors were increased in smokers, but the differences between groups did not reach statistical significance. It is concluded that the studied adolescent smokers demonstrated a higher risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life, compared to their non-smoking counterparts.

Role of physical activity and perceived adequacy on peak aerobic power in children with developmental coordination disorder

The purpose of this study was to determine the mediating role of physical activity and perceived adequacy towards physical activity on peak aerobic power (VO(2)peak) in children with developmental coordination disorder. This case-control study involved 61 male and female subjects age 12-13 years with motor impairments and 61 healthy controls matched for age, gender and school location. Subjects were assessed for motor proficiency and classified as probable developmental coordination disorder (p-DCD) or healthy control using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, 2nd Edition. VO(2)peak was assessed by a progressive exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Perceived adequacy towards physical activity was estimated using the Childrens Self-perception of Adequacy and Predilection for Physical Activity scale. Physical activity was monitored for seven days using accelerometry. Children with p-DCD had significantly lower VO(2)peak adjusted for lean mass (48.8±7.2 ml/kg LM/min; p≤0.05) compared to controls (53.1±8.2 ml/kg LM/min). Regression analysis demonstrated that perceived adequacy and physical activity were significant mediators in the relationship between p-DCD and VO(2)peak (R-squared=24.3%). In conclusion, using a stringent laboratory assessment, the current study verifies earlier non laboratory findings, adding low aerobic power, the most important component of cardiorespiratory fitness, to the list of health consequences associated with developmental coordination disorder.

Comparing probable case identification of developmental coordination disorder using the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and the Movement ABC

Aim Despite its widespread current use in research and its potential for future application, the validity of the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP-SF) when administered by trained lay assessors is not known. This paper reports the results of case identification using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC) in a group of children scoring below the sixth percentile on the BOTMP-SF. Methods The BOTMP-SF was administered by trained research assistants to 2058 children. In total, 24 of 128 children aged 10 (n = 10), 11 (n = 10) or 12 (n = 4) scoring below the sixth percentile were randomly selected for further assessment by a paediatric occupational therapist using the M-ABC and the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test. Results Twenty-one of 24 children positive for motor co-ordination problems on the BOTMP-SF scored below the 15th percentile of the M-ABC, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.88 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.69 to 0.96]. Fifteen of these children were below the fifth percentile (PPV = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.43 to 0.79). Conclusions The BOTMP-SF seems to be a reasonable alternative to case identification when clinical assessment with the M-ABC is not feasible. Further research is needed to examine the sensitivity and specificity of the short form when used for this purpose.

Screening for motor coordination challenges in children using teacher ratings of physical ability and activity

We examined the effectiveness of a teacher-based rating scale called the teacher estimation of activity form (TEAF) to screen for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in children. A random selection of 15 of 75 schools from the District School Board of Niagara in Ontario, Canada was chosen for this study. Every consented child in Grade 4 (n=502) was evaluated for probable DCD (pDCD) in school using the short form Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency (BOTMP-SF). Each student also completed the childrens self perceptions of adequacy in and predilection toward physical activity (CSAPPA) scale, participation questionnaire, and Léger 20-meter shuttle run, and had their height and weight measured. The 27 children (5.1%) who scored below the 5th percentile on BOTMP-SF were designated as pDCD cases and the 475 children who scored above the 5th percentile served as controls. Results showed that mean TEAF scores were significantly lower for pDCD children than controls (p<.001). Total TEAF scores ranging from 28 to 32 were preferred in maintaining good sensitivity (.74, 95% CI=.55-.87 to .85, 95% CI=.68-.94). The area under the ROC curve was .77 (95% CI, .68-.86) for the TEAF total score, and some individual items performed approximately as well as the full scale. The TEAF was positively correlated with measures of physical activity and fitness. The TEAF appears to be an effective tool in screening for DCD, particularly in a population setting. Considering the brevity of the TEAF and the discriminative power of individual items, this instrument would be effective in an abbreviated version.