Effect of motor competence-based intervention on physical activity and physical fitness in children aged 3-6 years at risk for developmental coordination disorder.

Background: Poor motor competence (MC) is a core feature of young children at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD), often limiting participation in physical activity (PA) and negatively affecting physical fitness (PF). Although MC improvement is recognized as effective for promoting PA and PF in typically developing children, its effects in young children at risk for DCD (rDCD) remain unclear. Objective: To investigate the outcomes of MC intervention on MC, PA, and PF in young children with rDCD. Methods: Twenty-six children with rDCD (Mage = 4.64 years) were quasi-randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 12, 10 boys) or a control group (n = 14, 10 boys). The experimental group received an MC intervention that incorporated stability demands within task-specific contexts and progressively integrated locomotor and object control skills. The control group received sensory integration training. Both groups participated in 40-min, one-to-one sessions three times per week for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was overall MC, as assessed using the total score of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (MABC-2). All outcomes were assessed at baseline and after intervention. Data were analyzed using two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: After the 12-week intervention, overall MC was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (mean difference = 12.98, Conclusions: A tailored motor competence intervention was associated with short-term improvements in overall motor competence, weekday MVPA, and overall PF in young children with rDCD.