Dual Motor Task Coordination in Children With and Without Learning Disabilities

• Autores: Jill Whitall, Susan McMenamin, Nancy Getchell
• Localización: Adapted physical activity quaterly, ISSN 0736-5829, Vol. 22, Nº. 1, 2005, págs. 21-38
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This study examines gross motor coordination in children with and without learning disabilities using a dynamical systems perspective. In a dual motor task paradigm (walk/clap, gallop/clap), we measured and compared frequency and phase locking and consistency within and across trials in 12 children with learning disabilities and 12 age-matched typically developing children. In the walk/clap condition, groups differed in consistency and in entrainment (increased frequency of 4 limb coupling) over short-term practice. In the gallop/clap condition, groups differed in consistency; neither group showed entrainment. Comparisons within the LD group of participants with and without diagnosed visual-motor problems showed differences in classification, consistency, and entrainment. These results suggest that gross motor coordination tasks provide information about as well as a novel opportunity for early identification of learning disabilities