The impact of constraints-based ball games on the control skills of children with developmental coordination disorder

The purpose of this study is to enhance the development of control skills in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Guided by the principles of constraints-based task analysis, task constraints were manipulated to design and develop constraints-based ball games, which were then scientifically evaluated for their effectiveness. The study employed measurement, experimental, and statistical analysis methods. The control skill scores of two groups of children with DCD were compared before and after the intervention to assess the effectiveness of the constraints-based ball games. The stability of the intervention’s effects was evaluated by comparing the skill scores of the experimental group at two time points: before and after a 16-week intervention. (1) Effect of the intervention on control skill development at different time points: Prior to the intervention, no significant difference was observed between the experimental and control groups in terms of control skills. After the intervention, significant differences were noted between the two groups, with the experimental group showing superior skill development. At 16 weeks, the experimental group displayed a highly significant improvement compared to the control group. (2) Trend of skill improvement over time: In the experimental group, children showed a marked improvement in control skills over time. Although the improvement continued post-intervention, it was not statistically significant. In the control group, a similar initial improvement was observed, but the effect diminished after the intervention, with no significant difference detected in the later stages. (1) Constraints-based ball games proved more effective than conventional ball games in enhancing the control skills of children with DCD. (2) The effects of constraints-based ball games on the development of control skills in children with DCD were stable over time. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ChiCTR2500108139.