title: Can balance trampoline training promote motor coordination and balance performance in children with developmental coordination disorder?
abstract: The present study aimed to examine movement difficulties among typically developing 8- to 9-year-old elementary students in Greece and to investigate the possible effects of a balance training program to those children assessed with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). The Body Coordination Test for Children (BCTC; Körperkoordinationstest fur Kinder, KTK, Kiphard & Schilling, 1974) was chosen for the purposes of this study and 20 children out of the total number of 200, exhibited motor difficulties indicating a probable DCD disorder. The 20 students diagnosed with DCD were equally separated into two groups where each individual of the experimental group was paired with an individual of the control group. The intervention group attended a 12-week balance training program while students of the second - control group followed the regular school schedule. All participants were tested prior to the start and after the end of the 12-week period by performing static balance control tasks while standing on an EPS pressure platform and structured observation of trampoline exercises while videotaping. The results indicated that after a 12-week balance training circuit including a trampoline station program, the intervention group improved both factors that were examined. In conclusion, balance training with the use of attractive equipment such as trampoline can be an effective intervention for improving functional outcomes and can be recommended as an alternative mode of physical activity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Serres, Greece. Electronic address: pgiagaz@phed-sr.auth.gr.
authors.forename: Paraskevi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giagazoglou
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Developmental Medicine and Special Education, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sidiropoulou
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Developmental Medicine and Special Education, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mitsiou
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Serres, Greece.
authors.forename: Fotini
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Arabatzi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Serres, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleftherios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kellis
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009048:Motor Skills; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004856:Postural Balance; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Center of pressure; DCD; Movement difficulties; Posture; Stability