The role of physical activity and perceived adequacy on cardiorespiratory fitness in children with developmental coordination disorder

摘要

Evidence suggests that children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD)have lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) compared to children withoutthe condition. However, these studies were restricted to field-based methods inorder to predict V02 peak in the determination of CRF. Such field tests havebeen criticised for their ability to provide a valid prediction of V02 peak andvulnerability to psychological aspects in children with DCD, such as lowperceived adequacy toward physical activity. Moreover, the contribution ofphysical activity to the variance in V02 peak between the two groups is unknown.The purpose of our study was to determine the mediating role of physical activityand perceived adequacy towards physical activity on V02 peak in children withsignificant motor impairments. This prospective case-control design involved 122(age 12-13 years) children with significant motor impairments (n=61) and healthymatched controls (n=61) based on age, gender and school location. Participantshad been previously assessed for motor proficiency and classified as a probableDCD (p-DCD) or healthy control using the movement ABC test. V02 peak wasmeasured by a progressive exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Perceivedadequacy was measured using a 7 -item subscale from Children's Selfperceptionof Adequacy and Predilection for Physical Activity scale. Physicalactivity was monitored for seven days with the Actical® accelerometer. Childrenwith p-DCD had significantly lower V02 peak (48.76±7.2 ml/ffm/min; p:50.05)compared to controls (53.12±8.2 ml/ffm/min), even after correcting for fat freemass. Regression analysis demonstrated that perceived adequacy and physicalactivity were significant mediators in the relationship between p-DCD and V02peak. In conclusion, using a stringent laboratory assessment, the results of thecurrent study verify the findings of earlier studies, adding low CRF to the list ofhealth consequences associated with DCD. It seems that when testing for CRFin this population, there is a need to consider the psychological barriersassociated with their condition. Moreover, strategies to increase physical activityin children with DCD may result in improvement in their CRF.