X. Guo

Deficits in Lower Limb Muscle Reflex Contraction Latency and Peak Force Are Associated With Impairments in Postural Control and Gross Motor Skills of Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder A Cross-Sectional Study

AbstractThis cross-sectional, exploratory study aimed to compare neuromuscular performance, balance and motor skills proficiencies of typically developing children and those with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and to determine associations of these neuromuscular factors with balance and motor skills performances in children with DCD.One hundred thirty children with DCD and 117 typically developing children participated in the study. Medial hamstring and gastrocnemius muscle activation onset latencies in response to an unexpected posterior-to-anterior trunk perturbation were assessed by electromyography and accelerometer. Hamstring and gastrocnemius muscle peak force and time to peak force were quantified by dynamometer, and balance and motor skills performances were evaluated with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC).Independent t tests revealed that children with DCD had longer hamstring and gastrocnemius muscle activation onset latencies (Pu200a<u200a0.001) and lower isometric peak forces (Pu200a<u200a0.001), but not times to peak forces (Pu200a>u200a0.025), than the controls. Multiple regression analysis accounting for basic demographics showed that gastrocnemius peak force was independently associated with the MABC balance subscore and ball skills subscore, accounting for 5.7% (Pu200a=u200a0.003) and 8.5% (Pu200a=u200a0.001) of the variance, respectively. Gastrocnemius muscle activation onset latency also explained 11.4% (Pu200a<u200a0.001) of the variance in the MABC ball skills subscore.Children with DCD had delayed leg muscle activation onset times and lower isometric peak forces. Gastrocnemius peak force was associated with balance and ball skills performances, whereas timing of gastrocnemius muscle activation was a determinant of ball skill performance in the DCD population.

Activity participation intensity is associated with skeletal development in pre-pubertal children with developmental coordination disorder

PURPOSEnThis study aimed (1) to compare the skeletal maturity and activity participation pattern between children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD); and (2) to determine whether activity participation pattern was associated with the skeletal development among children with DCD.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnThirty-three children with DCD (mean age: 7.76 years) and 30 typically developing children (mean age: 7.60 years) were recruited. Skeletal maturity was assessed with the Sunlight BonAge system. Motor ability was evaluated by the Movement assessment battery for Children-2 (MABC-2). Participation patterns were evaluated using the Children Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment assessment. Analysis of variance was used to compare the outcome variables between the two groups. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between skeletal development, motor performance and activity participation intensity in children with DCD.nnnRESULTSnThe DCD group had significantly delayed skeletal development, lower MABC-2 derived scores, and participated less intensely in various types of physical activities than their typically developing peers. After accounting for the effects of age and sex, activity participation intensity score remained significantly associated with delay in skeletal development, explaining 28.0% of the variance (F(change1, 29)=11.341, p=0.002).nnnCONCLUSIONnSkeletal development is delayed in pre-pubertal children with DCD. Limited activity participation intensity appears to be one of the contributing factors.

Task-Specific Balance Training Improves the Sensory Organisation of Balance Control in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Sensory organisation of balance control is compromised in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). A randomised controlled trial involving 88 children with DCD was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a task-specific balance training (functional-movement training, FMT) programme in improving balance deficits in a DCD population. The DCD participants were randomly assigned to either a FMT group or a control group. The FMT group received two training sessions/ week for 3 months. Measurements of the participants’ sensory organisation (somatosensory, vestibular and visual ratios), balance and motor proficiency (Movement Assessment Battery for Children, MABC scores) and center of pressure sway velocity (Unilateral Stance Test, UST scores) were taken at baseline, immediately after FMT and 3 months after FMT. The FMT group showed greater improvements than the controls in somatosensory ratio at 3 and 6 months (all Pu2009<u20090.001), but the within-group changes were not significant (Pu2009>u20090.05). The results of both the MABC and the UST also indicated that the balance performance of the FMT group was significantly better than that of the control group at 3 and 6 months (all Pu2009<u20090.05). Task-specific balance training was found to marginally improve the somatosensory function and somewhat improve the balance performance of children with DCD.

Core Muscle Activity during TRX Suspension Exercises with and without Kinesiology Taping in Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: Implications for Rehabilitation

This study aimed to examine the effects of kinesiology taping (KT) and different TRX suspension workouts on the amplitude of electromyographic (EMG) activity in the core muscles among people with chronic low back pain (LBP). Each participant (total n = 21) was exposed to two KT conditions: no taping and taping, while performing four TRX suspension exercises: (1) hamstring curl, (2) hip abduction in plank, (3) chest press, and (4) 45-degree row. Right transversus abdominis/internal oblique (TrAIO), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and superficial lumbar multifidus (LMF) activity was recorded with surface EMG and expressed as a percentage of the EMG amplitude recorded during a maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the respective muscles. Hip abduction in plank increased TrAIO, RA, and LMF EMG amplitude compared with other TRX positions (P < 0.008). Only the hamstring curl was effective in inducing a high EMG amplitude of LMF (P < 0.001). No significant difference in EMG magnitude was found between the taping and no taping conditions overall (P > 0.05). Hip abduction in plank most effectively activated abdominal muscles, whereas the hamstring curl most effectively activated the paraspinal muscles. Applying KT conferred no immediate benefits in improving the core muscle activation during TRX training in adults with chronic LBP.

Effects of Ving Tsun Chinese martial art training on musculoskeletal health, balance performance, and self-efficacy in community-dwelling older adults.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ving Tsun (VT) Chinese martial art training on radial bone strength, upper- and lower-limb muscular strength, shoulder joint mobility, balance performance, and self-efficacy in elderly participants. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve seniors voluntarily joined the VT training group, and twenty-seven seniors voluntarily joined the control group. The VT group received VT training for three months, while the control group received no training. The bone strength of the distal radius was assessed using an ultrasound bone sonometer. Muscular strength in the limbs was evaluated using a Jamar handgrip dynamometer and the five times sit-to-stand test. Shoulder joint mobility was examined using a goniometer. Balance performance and self-efficacy were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale and the Chinese version of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, respectively. [Results] The results revealed a nonsignificant group-by-time interaction effect, group effect, and time effect for all outcome variables. However, general trends of maintenance or improvement in all outcome parameters were observed to a greater extent in the VT group than in the control group. [Conclusion] VT training might be a potential fall-prevention exercise that can be used to maintain general physique, balance, and confidence in the elderly population. A further randomized controlled trial is needed to confirm this postulation.

Elder Chinese Martial Art Practitioners Have Higher Radial Bone Strength, Hand-Grip Strength, and Better Standing Balance Control

This study explored the feasibility of using Ving Tsun (VT) martial art as a fall-prevention exercise for male seniors. We compared the radial bone strength, hand-grip strength, and standing balance control of senior VT practitioners and nonpractitioners under various sensory environments. Sixteen male VT practitioners (mean age ± SD: years) and 17 sex- and age-matched control adults (mean age ± SD: years) participated in the study. The bone strength of the distal radius, hand-grip strength, and standing balance control were assessed using an ultrasound bone sonometer, a Jamar dynamometer, and sensory organization test (SOT) on the NeuroCom Balance Master, respectively. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to compare the outcome variables between the two groups. Results revealed that VT practitioners had significantly higher radial bone strength (-score) on the dominant side (), hand-grip strength (dominant side, ; nondominant side, ), and standing balance control (SOT composite equilibrium score, ) than the control participants. Male elder VT practitioners had higher radial bone strength, hand-grip strength, and better standing balance control than nonpractitioners. Our findings shed light on the use of VT exercise to prevent falls and fall-related fractures of the distal radius in male elders.

A Novel Balance Training Program for Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

AbstractThis study aimed to compare the effectiveness of a specific functional movement–power training (FMPT) program, a functional movement training (FMT) program and no training in the improvement of balance strategies, and neuromuscular performance in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).It was a randomized, single-blinded, parallel group controlled trial.Methods: 161 children with DCD (age: 6–10 years) were randomly assigned to the FMPT, FMT, or control groups. The 2 intervention groups received FMPT or FMT twice a week for 3 months. Measurements were taken before, after, and 3 months after the end of the intervention period. The primary outcomes were the composite score and strategy scores on the sensory organization test as measured by a computerized dynamic posturography machine. Secondary outcomes included the knee muscle peak force and the time taken to reach the peak force.The balance strategies adopted in sensory challenging environments of the FMPT participants showed greater improvement from baseline to posttest than those of the FMT participants (7.10 points; 95% confidence interval, 1.51–12.69; Pu200a=u200a0.008) and the control participants (7.59 points; 95% confidence interval, 1.81–13.38; Pu200a=u200a0.005). The FMPT participants also exhibited greater improvement from baseline to the posttest in the knee extensor peak force and time to peak force in the knee flexors.The FMPT program was more effective than the conventional FMT program in the enhancement of balance strategies and neuromuscular performance in children with DCD.

Musculoskeletal strength, balance performance, and self-efficacy in elderly ving tsun Chinese martial art practitioners: implications for fall prevention

Objectives. To (1) compare the bone strength, lower limb muscular strength, functional balance performance, and balance self-efficacy between Ving Tsun (VT) martial art practitioners and nonpractitioners and (2) identify the associations between lower limb muscular strength, functional balance performance, and balance self-efficacy among the VT-trained participants. Methods. Thirty-five VT practitioners (mean age ± SD = 62.7 ± 13.3 years) and 49 nonpractitioners (mean age ± SD = 65.9 ± 10.5 years) participated in the study. The bone strength of the distal radius, lower limb muscular strength, functional balance performance, and balance self-efficacy were assessed using an ultrasound bone sonometer, the five times sit-to-stand test (FTSTS), the Berg balance scale (BBS), and the Chinese version of the activities-specific balance confidence scale, respectively. A multivariate analysis of covariance was performed to compare all the outcome variables between the two groups. Results. Elderly VT practitioners had higher radial bone strength on the dominant side (P < 0.05), greater lower limb muscular strength (P = 0.001), better functional balance performance (P = 0.003), and greater balance confidence (P < 0.001) than the nonpractitioners. Additionally, only the FTSTS time revealed a significant association with the BBS score (r = −0.575, u2009P = 0.013). Conclusions. VT may be a suitable health-maintenance exercise for the elderly. Our findings may inspire the development of VT fall-prevention exercises for the community-dwelling healthy elderly.

Adapted Taekwondo Training for Prepubertal Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Randomized, Controlled Trial

This study evaluated the effectiveness of adapted Taekwondo (TKD) training on skeletal development and motor performance in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). One hundred forty-five prepubertal children with DCD were allocated to either the TKD or control groups. Children in the TKD group participated in a weekly 1-hour adapted TKD intervention and daily TKD home exercises for 12 weeks. The primary outcome (delay in skeletal development) and secondary outcomes (Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) total impairment score, eye–hand coordination (EHC) scores, and a standing balance score) were measured at baseline, after the intervention and 3 months after the intervention. Skeletal development improved in both groups over time (pu2009<u20090.017). The TKD group had a significant delay in skeletal development at baseline compared to the control group (pu2009=u20090.003) but caught up with the controls at 3 months (pu2009=u20090.041). Improvements in the MABC scores were also seen in both groups across time (pu2009<u20090.017). Only the TKD group had a significant improvement in the EHC movement time at 3 (pu2009=u20090.009) and 6 months (pu2009=u20090.016). The adapted TKD intervention may be effective in improving the skeletal development and EHC movement time of children with DCD. For motor performance, the effect of maturation might be more profound.

Diversity of activity participation determines bone mineral content in the lower limbs of pre-pubertal children with developmental coordination disorder

SummaryThis study examined the relationships between activity participation and bone mineralization in children with developmental coordination disorder. Limited participation in physical, recreational, social, and skill-based and self-improvement activities contributed to lower bone mineral content. For improved bone health, these children should participate in a variety of activities, not only physical activities.IntroductionLimited activity participation in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) may have a negative impact on bone mineral accrual. The objectives of this study were to compare bone mineralization and activity participation patterns of pre-pubertal children with DCD and those with typical development, and to determine the association between activity participation patterns and bone mineralization in children with DCD.MethodsFifty-two children with DCD (mean ageu2009=u20097.51xa0years) and 61 children with typical development (mean ageu2009=u20097.22xa0years) participated in the study. Appendicular and total body (less head) bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated by a whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Activity participation patterns were assessed using the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) questionnaire.ResultsChildren with DCD had lower appendicular and total body BMCs and BMDs than children with typical development overall (pu2009<u20090.05). They also had lower CAPE total activity and physical activity diversity scores (pu2009<u20090.05). After accounting for the effects of age, sex, height, lean mass, and fat mass, the total activity diversity score remained independently associated with leg BMC in children with DCD, explaining 5.1% of the variance (pu2009=u20090.030). However, the physical activity diversity score was no longer associated with leg BMC (pu2009=u20090.090).ConclusionsDiversity of activity participation and bone mineralization were lower in pre-pubertal children with DCD. Decreased total activity participation diversity was a contributing factor to lower BMC in the legs of children with DCD.