title: Short-term motor learning of dynamic balance control in children with probable Developmental Coordination Disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the differences in learning a dynamic balance task between children with and without probable Developmental Coordination Disorder (p-DCD) from different cultural backgrounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight Dutch children with DCD (p-DCD-NL), a similar group of 17 South African children (p-DCD-SA) and 21 Dutch typically developing children (TD-NL) participated in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  All children performed the Wii Fit protocol. The slope of the learning curve was used to estimate motor learning for each group. The protocol was repeated after six weeks. Level of motor skill was assessed with the Movement ABC-2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference in motor learning rate was found between p-DCD-NL and p-DCD-SA, but the learning rate of children with p-DCD was slower than the learning rate of TD children. Speed-accuracy trade off, as a way to improve performance by slowing down in the beginning was only seen in the TD children, indicating that TD children and p-DCD children used different strategies. Retention of the level of learned control of the game after six weeks was found in all three groups after six weeks. The learning slope was associated with the level of balance skill for all children. This study provides evidence that children with p-DCD have limitations in motor learning on a complex balance task. In addition, the data do not support the contention that learning in DCD differs depending on cultural background.
authors.affiliation: Developmental and Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2-1, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: l.d.jelsma@rug.nl.
authors.forename: Dorothee
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jelsma
authors.affiliation: Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa. Electronic address: gillian.ferguson@uct.ac.za.
authors.forename: Gillian D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Gebouw De Nayer (GDN), Tervuursevest 101 bus 1501, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium. Electronic address: bouwiensmits@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Bouwien C M
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Smits-Engelsman
authors.affiliation: Developmental and Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2-1, 9712 TS Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: r.h.geuze@rug.nl.
authors.forename: Reint H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Geuze
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D059032:Learning Curve; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009426:Netherlands; D004856:Postural Balance; D013019:South Africa
keywords: Developmental Coordination Disorder; Dynamic balance; Motor learning; Speed–accuracy trade off; Wii Fit