Article

The aim of this study was to compare the oxygen cost (V(O2)) of walking and
running, as well as aerobic fitness, in children with and without developmental
coordination disorder (DCD). METHOD: Thirty-one males (17 with DCD and 14 in a
comparison group; mean age 8 y 7 mo, SD 1 y 3 mo and 8 y 5 mo, SD 1 y 2 mo
respectively) were tested on two separate occasions at least 1 week apart. On the
first visit, motor proficiency was assessed by the McCarron Assessment of
Neuromuscular Development instrument, which was followed by the determination of
maximal aerobic capacity (V(O2max)). The second visit involved 4-minute bouts of
treadmill walking (at 4.3 km/h and 5.8 km/h) and running (at 7.8 km/h and 8.4
km/h). Oxygen consumption, heart rate, respiratory exchange ratio, rating of
perceived exertion (RPE), step rate, and qualitative assessment of locomotion
were obtained for each speed. RESULTS: Despite poorer locomotion proficiency,
there was no significant difference in the oxygen cost of walking or running
between males with and without DCD. However, the DCD group had significantly
higher RPE while running at 7.8 km/h (p=0.011) and had greater difficulty
achieving V(O2max), resulting in significantly lower scores for aerobic fitness. INTERPRETATION:
The differences in locomotion proficiency between children with
and without DCD are not large enough to affect the oxygen cost of locomotion.
However, children with DCD are more likely to withdraw from exercising at higher
intensities before achieving peak performance.

Langue : ANGLAIS