The Influence of an Interceptive Task on Gait in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder Compared to Typically Developing Children

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying children aged 7 to 17 years with developmental coordination disorder DCD to analyze their walking patterns using advanced gait analysis technology at the Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab GRAIL. The goal is to understand how gait differs in children with DCD compared to typically developing children by collecting detailed movement data during walking and dual-task activities. Children with DCD will participate in a single session lasting about 3 hours, which includes a motor test M-ABC-2 and walking on a treadmill at various speeds. While walking, they will engage in two dual tasks a cognitive task involving the Stroop Color and Word Test, and a motor task requiring arm movement to hit targets in a virtual environment. During these activities, 3D movement data, muscle activity, and walking forces will be recorded. Parents will complete a questionnaire about their childs motor skills in daily life to support the motor test results. The study measures include detailed gait movement, muscle coordination, and performance on the dual tasks. Data collected will help assess how automatic the childrens walking is and compare it to typical development. This research is conducted by University Ghent and all activities happen during one study visit.

Dual-tasking Effect on Gait in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder