The characteristics of coordinated movement in adolescents with mild developmental disability

Abstract

【Purpose】 This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of coordinated movement in adolescents with mild developmental disability. 【Methods】 Participants were 25 adolescents with mild developmental disability and 25 healthy adolescents. We examined coordinated movement through N type coordinated movement test. We analyzed the data by performing an unpaired t-test. 【Results】 The coordinated movement of the upper extremities, trunk, and lower extremities of adolescents with mild developmental disability while slowing down was significantly lower. The coordinated movement of the trunk and lower extremities of adolescents with mild developmental disability during catching was significantly higher. 【Conclusions】 Slowing down volley ball and tennis ball did not cause problems with ball control when slowed down at the natural speed. However, it was clear by the coordinated movement of the upper extremities, trunk, and lower extremities that slowing down was insufficient. Further, the catching action of adolescents with mild developmental disability were several excessive movements. Our results suggested that as the complexity of the task increased, ball control became more difficult.