Martial Art Practice to Improve Balance Performance in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Review

Abstract

Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common motor dysfunction affecting primary school-aged children worldwide. Children with DCD were shown to be below their normal counterparts in their standing balance performance, in their ability to integrate visual and vestibular inputs for postural control, in their speed of muscle force production, and in their motor strategy used to maintain body balance under conflicting sensory conditions. These problems require special attention because any impairment in postural control may limit the child’s participation in daily activities and therefore affect their motor skill development. Objective: This review article aims to investigate the effects of martial arts training on postural control in children with DCD. Methods: A search of literature on electronic media was performed and two papers with relevance to the topic were reviewed. Results: Training in martial arts such as Taekwondo (TKD) has been reported to improve balance control in children with DCD. Previous studies showed that three-month specific TKD intervention can improve visual and vestibular functions and knee muscular strength among DCD-affected children. These physiological improvements were associated with improved balance performance in this particular group of children after short-term TKD training. Conclusion(s): Therefore, clinicians can suggest TKD exercise as a combined therapeutic-leisure activity to improve sensory organization, muscular strength and balance control in children with DCD.