Relationships among Locomotor Performance, adaptation and Physical Activity in 8- to 10-Year-Old Children with and without Motor Coordination Disorder

This study aimed to explore the relationships among physical activity (PA), motor quotient (MQ), motor adaptation (MA), and locomotor performance (LP) in children. A cross-sectional design was employed, with participants (n=256) recruited from various districts in Shanghai, China. Motor coordination was assessed using the Kiphard-Schilling Body Coordination Test (KTK). Children were classified based on their KTK (MQ): those with MQ ≤ 85 were assigned to the motor coordination disorder group (CD: n=111, 62% boys), while the remaining children were categorized as typical motor coordination (TC: n=145, 55% boys). LP in linear and nonlinear tasks was evaluated using the 30m sprint and NMBR tests, respectively, with additional tests under increased visual constraints. The difference in performance between pre- and post-constraint tests was used to reflect MA. PA was assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children. Compared to the TC group, CD children demonstrated significantly poorer performance in all locomotor tests and lower PA levels. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of the performance differences before and after introducing visual constraints. Additionally, the difference in performance in the 30m sprint test before and after applying constraints positively moderated the relationship between MQ and PA. In conclusion, compared to their TC peers, CD children performed worse in visually constrained locomotor tasks, primarily due to their weaker fundamental motor skills rather than deficits in motor adaptation. Furthermore, motor adaptation can enhance the positive relationship between PA and MQ to some extent.