EDKP 447

Static Postural Stability

             Individuals that suffer from DCD may exhibit symptom impairments such as deficits in postural control, sensorimotor coordination and motor learning (Biotteau et al., 2019). It has also been demonstrated in numerous literatures that motor organization of reactive responses and anticipatory postural adjustments is dysfunctional in those affected. (Grove et al., 2007). Most notably, children with DCD are seen to have problems with postural control which include hypotonia or hypertonia, immature distal control, as well as, poor static and dynamic balance (Biotteau et al., 2019). When focusing on balance, we see that it is referred to as the ability to maintain a weight bearing posture, or to move through a sequence of postures without falling (Tsai et al., 2008). It is therefore clear that balance is an important component that is involved in many activities of daily living.  More precisely, the development of static balance is a basic characteristic of normal motor development, which is defined as the ability to maintain an upright posture and to keep the centre of gravity within the limits of support (Geuze., 2003). Children without static balance lack the stabilizing framework necessary to develop normal functional activities (Tsai et al., 2008).
             In normal development, the ability of static balance shows clear improvements between the ages of 2 and 14 years old, this is evident for standing on two feet and one foot (Geuze., 2003). These improvements are accompanied by improvements in the level of muscle activation efficacy and response to external mechanical perturbations (Geuze, 2003). 

Children suffering from DCD have shown significantly more postural sway than matched controls when eyes are closed (Wann et al., 1998). Altered postural muscle activity can contribute to the poor proximal stability in children with DCD (Johnston et al., 2002). The main focus of this section will be on discussing the developmental delay in the control of static balance in individuals suffering from DCD.

This page has paths:

  1. The Diagnosis and Development of DCD Roxanna Kuperman

Contents of this path:

  1. Increased Postural Sway for Person’s with DCD

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