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Are Motor Timing Problems Subgroup Specific in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2015

Helen E. Parker,
Dawne Larkin and
Michael G. Wade
Helen E. Parker*
Affiliation:
The University of Western Australia
Dawne Larkin
Affiliation:
The University of Western Australia
Michael G. Wade
Affiliation:
University of Minnesota
*
Department of Human Movement, The University of Western Australia, NEDLANDS WA 6907, Telephone: (09) 380 2646, Fax: (09) 380 1039, E-mail: hparker@cyllene.uwa.edu.au
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Abstract

This study investigated subgroup and task specificity of self-paced timing in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Self-paced tempo (intertap interval) and timing stability (coefficient of variation) were measured in three repetitive tasks—hand tapping, foot tapping, and jumping in place—in 37 children aged 6 to 9 years classified into gross motor impaired (GM), fine and gross motor impaired (F&G), or coordinated control (CC) groups. Results showed that, although tempo did not vary between coordination groups, timing stability for the hand was significantly worse for the F&G motor impaired group (p < .05). Discriminant function analysis correctly classified 75% of CC, 67% of F&G, and 67% of GM children. Although timing inconsistency of hand tapping identified a coordination subgroup, these tasks provide only moderate prediction of group membership.

Keywords

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)Gross MotorFine MotorRythmic Tapping

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
The Educational and Developmental Psychologist , Volume 14 , Issue 1 , May 1997, pp. 35 - 42
Copyright
Copyright © Australian Psychological Society 1997

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