title: The influence of task paradigm on motor imagery ability in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder.
abstract: Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) have difficulty imagining movements such that they conform to the customary temporal constraints of real performance. We examined whether this ability is influenced by the choice of task used to elicit motor imagery (MI). Performance of typically developing (TD) (n=30) and children with DCD (n=30) was compared on two tasks: the Visually Guided Pointing Task (VGPT) and the Computerized Virtual Radial Fitts Task (C-VRFT). Since the VGPT places higher demands on executive functions like working memory but requires less spatial planning, we reasoned that the C-VRFT would provide a purer measure of motor imagery (or simulation). Based on our earlier work, we predicted that imagery deficits in DCD would more likely manifest on the C-VRFT. Results showed high correlations between tasks in terms of executed and imagined movement time suggest that both tasks measure MI ability. However, group differences were more pronounced in the imagined condition of the radial Fitts' task. Taken together, the more spatially complex C-VRFT appears to be a more sensitive measure of motor imagery, better discriminating between DCD and TD. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, F45 Old Main Building, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa. Electronic address: gillian.ferguson@uct.ac.za.
authors: G D
authors: GD
authors: Ferguson
authors: School of Psychology, Australian Catholic University, 115 Victoria Pde., Melbourne, VIC 3065, Australia. Electronic address: peterh.wilson@acu.edu.au.
authors: P H
authors: PH
authors: Wilson
authors: Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Cape Town, F45 Old Main Building, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, Department of Kinesiology, Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Tervuursevest 101, Postbox 1501, B-3001 Heverlee, Belgium. Electronic address: bouwiensmits@hotmail.com.
authors: B C M
authors: BC
authors: Smits-Engelsman
mesh_terms: D001076:Aptitude; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007092:Imagination; D007699:Kinesthesis; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D009949:Orientation; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: Children; Developmental Coordination Disorder; Fitts’ law; Mental chronometry; Motor imagery