Sport stacking motor intervention programme for children with developmental coordination disorder

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore sport stacking as an alternative intervention approach with typically developing children and in addition to improve DCD. Sport stacking consists of participants stacking and unstacking 12 specially designed plastic cups in predetermined sequences in as little time as possible. Eighteen children (6 girls and 12 boys) classified with DCD, between the ages of 6 and 7 years, participated. A pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental design with a control group was applied. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) was used to assess the motor proficiency levels of the children and to classify DCD. The sport stacking intervention consisted of an 8-week programme of 3 sessions per week, 30 minutes per session. During the intervention the children learned the various sport stacking sequences, as well as how to apply them to a variety of physical activities. The results indicate that prior to the intervention no significant differences occurred between the 2 groups. After the intervention, manual dexterity and balance showed a significant difference, while aiming and catching, showed no significant difference. The total test score revealed a significant difference in the overall motor proficiency levels of the experimental group. The results suggest that sport stacking can be used as an effective intervention programme for children with DCD.

Key words: Sport stacking; Motor proficiency; Developmental coordination disorder; Intervention; Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2.