Physical fitness and developmental coordination disorder in Greek children

Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2009 May;21(2):186-95. doi: 10.1123/pes.21.2.186.

Abstract

We investigated whether children with suspected Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD+) demonstrate different physical fitness levels compared with their normal peers (DCD-). Randomly recruited Greek children (n = 177) were assessed for body mass index (BMI), flexibility (SR), vertical jump (VJ), hand strength (HS), 40m dash, aerobic power, and motor proficiency. ANCOVA revealed a motor proficiency (i.e., DCD group) effect for BMI (p < .01), VJ (p < .01), and 40m speed (p < .01), with DCD+ children demonstrating lower values than DCD-. Differences between DCD+ and DCD- were also obtained in log-transformed HS (p < .01). These findings suggest that intervention strategies for managing DCD should also aim at physical fitness increases.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Body Composition
  • Body Mass Index
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Greece
  • Hand Strength
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Skills Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Physical Fitness*
  • Pliability
  • Running / physiology
  • Time Factors