Psychometric properties of field-based anaerobic capacity tests in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

Abstract

Background: Assessment of anaerobic capacity in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is essential for treatment planning. However, available field-based measures have no established validity and reliability in this population.

Purpose: To examine the psychometric properties of selected field-based anaerobic capacity tests in children with and without DCD.

Methods: School-aged children (6–16 years) with and without DCD participated in the study. The children completed the shuttle run sub-item of the Bruninks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency-second edition, the 10 × 5 m sprint tests (straight and slalom) and the muscle power sprint test (MPST).

Results: The shuttle run test item of the Bruninks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency-second edition and 10 × 5 m sprint tests possess good construct validity and test–retest reliability in children with DCD. The 10 × 5 m sprint test-slalom was found to be the most responsive test among children with DCD. However, the MPST was less reliable in children with DCD compared to their typically developing peers, leading to a very large Smallest Detectable Difference.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that the selected anaerobic capacity measures have sound psychometric properties among children with DCD with the exception of the MPST. Clinicians working on children with DCD could use these tests in their practice, especially in situations where logistical resources are limited.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Field-based anaerobic capacity tests are suitable measures for assessing anaerobic capacity in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder, particularly in situations where laboratory assessments are not feasible.

• The shuttle run test item of the Bruninks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency-second edition and the 10 × 5 sprint tests (straight and slalom) have good construct validity in this population.

• The 10 × 5 sprint test (slalom) is the most sensitive anaerobic capacity test among children with Developmental Coordination Disorder.

Keywords:

• Field-based tests
• anaerobic capacity tests
• muscle power sprint tests
• 10 × 5 m sprint tests
• children
• Developmental Coordination Disorder

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all the participants and their parents, teachers, and school authorities for their support. We also wish to thank the research assistants who assisted us with data collection.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.