Development Coordination DisorderNCT07028762
Evaluation of Catching Skills in Preschoolers With Motor Difficulties
An observational study of Development Coordination Disorder and Motor Disabilities, run by Masaryk University at 1 site in Czechia.
Trial summary
This research project investigates the development of predictive and online motor control in preschool-aged boys with typical development and those with motor difficulties, specifically children at risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 4 to 7 years, men onlyHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Development Coordination Disorder, Motor Disabilities
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCzechia
- Study dates
- 31 Mar 2025to Jun 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 4 to 7 years
- Men only
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Study population: The study population consists of preschool boys aged 4.5 to 7.0 years. Participants will be recruited from mainstream kindergartens and from an integrative preschool and rehabilitation center in the Czech Republic. The sample includes children with typical motor development, as well as children identified by educators and therapists as having motor coordination difficulties. Data will be collected within familiar educational or therapeutic environments to support natural task engagement.
Who may be able to join
- Age between 4.0 and 7.0 years (preschool age)
- Male sex
- Motor performance within the defined inclusion range based on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children - 2nd Edition (MABC-2)
- Typically developing children (as assessed by educators or therapists), or
- Children identified as having motor coordination difficulties
Who cannot join
- Children with intellectual disability
- autism spectrum disorder
- uncorrected vision impairment
- hearing loss
- neurological or psychiatric conditions, behavioral disorders, or orthopedic limitations will be excluded.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Czechia1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Lentilka - integrated kindergarden and rehabilitation center
Pardubice, Česká Republika, 530 02
Gabriela Belkova, Master degree, 733724538, belkova@lentilka.eu
About this study
Official title: Motor Coordination During Catching of a Moving Object in Preschool Children as the Indicator of Motor Development
This research project investigates the development of predictive and online motor control in preschool-aged boys with typical development and those with motor difficulties, specifically children at risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). The study is being conducted as part of a doctoral dissertation at the Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University in Brno, in cooperation with the integration and rehabilitation center Lentilka in Pardubice.
The aim of the study is to assess how children plan, initiate, and adjust their movements in response to a dynamic, time-sensitive task-catching a horizontally moving object (pendulum) under two different time constraints. By comparing performance between typically developing children and those identified as being at risk for motor difficulties, the study aims to improve our understanding of motor control development and support the creation of more effective diagnostic and educational strategies.
Read more
Participants in this study will be preschool boys from two age groups: 4.6 to 5.0 years and 6.5 to 7.0 years. Each age group will include 10 children with typical motor development and 10 children with motor difficulties, defined as scoring below the 16th percentile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children - Second Edition (MABC-2). In total, the study aims to recruit 40 participants. Children with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, uncorrected visual impairments, hearing loss, psychiatric or neurological conditions, or significant behavioral or orthopedic problems will be excluded from participation.
Each child will complete two parts of the study protocol. The first involves a standardized motor assessment using the MABC-2, which evaluates both fine and gross motor skills, including tasks such as threading beads, catching, and balance activities. The second part is an experimental task requiring interception of a swinging foam ring attached to a horizontal pendulum. The children will attempt to stop the pendulum at a precise moment under two time conditions: either on its first pass through the target zone (approximately 0.750 seconds after release) or on its second pass (approximately 1.5 seconds after release). The task will be performed using both the dominant and non-dominant hand, with multiple repetitions in each condition.
During the experiment, children will stand on a pressure-sensitive mat (CONFORMat® Tekscan), which records shifts in their center of pressure (COP). Upper limb movement will be captured using reflective markers placed on anatomical landmarks (shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand), and recorded by four video cameras (two sagittal, two frontal). Movement data will be analyzed using Dartfish software.
The study will focus on several key outcome measures: anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) based on COP movement prior to arm motion, spatial accuracy of the stopping movement (angular deviation), trajectory and velocity of COP displacement, timing of movement initiation based on radial styloid marker velocity, joint angles and segmental velocity, and overall smoothness of upper limb motion. All data and recordings will be pseudonymized, securely stored, and used exclusively for research purposes. Recordings will be deleted upon project completion.
This study aims to clarify the developmental trajectory of anticipatory and online motor control strategies in early childhood and to distinguish between typical and atypical motor patterns. The findings are expected to contribute to early screening practices and the development of targeted educational and therapeutic interventions for children with motor coordination difficulties. Ethical approval for the study has been granted by the Research Ethics Committee of Masaryk University. Participation is voluntary, and parents will receive individualized feedback on their child's motor performance after assessment.
Read the detailed description
This study investigates the development of predictive and feedback motor control mechanisms in preschool-aged children (ages 4.5 to 7) during a visuomotor interception task. The primary objective is to evaluate age-related changes in upper limb coordination and postural control by comparing typically developing children with peers exhibiting motor difficulties, specifically those at risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
Interceptive actions, such as catching a moving object, impose high demands on the motor control system, requiring rapid integration of sensory information-visual and proprioceptive-alongside anticipatory postural adjustments and online movement corrections. In typically developing children, the capacity to anticipate and adapt to dynamic stimuli improves significantly between the ages of 4.5 and 7. In contrast, children with DCD often display impairments in these areas, which may be associated with deficits in internal modeling, reduced anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs), and delayed sensorimotor integration. To explore these mechanisms in a controlled environment, the study employs a dynamic bimanual interception task that involves stopping a foam circular pendulum moving horizontally along a rod. This setup allows for precise evaluation of motor response timing and quality, encompassing both upper limb kinematics and center of pressure (COP) displacement.
The research is based on a cross-sectional experimental design involving 60 preschool boys aged 4 to 7 years. Participants are evenly divided into three age cohorts and two motor proficiency groups, identified via the standardized Movement Assessment Battery for Children - Second Edition (MABC-2). Children scoring below the 16th percentile are classified as having motor difficulties. During the experiment, each child performs a bimanual interception task requiring them to stop the pendulum at a defined spatial target ("zero point") under two temporal conditions: intercepting the pendulum on its first pass (short interval, approximately 750 milliseconds from release) and on its second pass (long interval, approximately 1500 milliseconds from release). Multiple trials are conducted in each condition.
Upper limb movements are recorded using four high-resolution video cameras (sampling rate 50 Hz) positioned in sagittal and frontal planes. Motion is tracked via reflective markers placed on anatomical landmarks: the radial styloid process (wrist), lateral epicondyle (elbow), and deltoid insertion (shoulder). Postural control is assessed using a CONFORMat® pressure-sensitive platform operating at 100 Hz, which captures center of pressure trajectory and parameters relevant to anticipatory postural activity, including displacement, velocity, and root mean square (RMS) values. System synchronization is ensured through LED light pulses and color-coded timestamps, with an estimated precision of ±8 milliseconds. Video recordings are analyzed using Dartfish software, which is validated for 2D motion analysis, showing strong reliability (validity r ≥ .95; ICC ≥ .91).
Kinematic parameters include the timing of movement initiation relative to pendulum motion, peak velocity and time to peak velocity of the wrist marker, smoothness of the trajectory derived from acceleration profiles, and spatial accuracy of interception measured as angular deviation from the target. Postural variables include total COP path length as an indicator of stability, the range of movement in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions, and the mean and RMS values of velocity and displacement during anticipatory postural phases.
This integrative approach allows for a detailed analysis of how young children plan, execute, and adapt their movements in real time. By comparing typically developing children with those at risk for motor coordination difficulties, the study aims to contribute to a better understanding of early motor control mechanisms and inform the development of more targeted diagnostic and intervention strategies.
- Keywords
- motor control, predictive control, feedback control, developmental coordination disorder -DCD, anticipatory postural adjustments- APA, interception task, preschool children, MABC-2, center of pressure - COP
- Medical subject headings
- Motor Skills Disorders
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Typical Development, Age 4.5-5.0 | Preschool boys aged 4.5 to 5.0 years with typical motor development, as determined by scoring between the 16th and 84th percentile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children - Second Edition (MABC-2). Participants will perform a catching task under two timing conditions while standing on a pressure mat and being video-recorded for motion analysis. | |
| 2. Typical Development, Age 6.5-7.0 | Preschool boys aged 6.6 to 7.0 years with typical motor development, identified by MABC-2 scores between the 16th and 84th percentile. Children will complete the same experimental task involving the interception of a moving pendulum, with analysis of anticipatory postural adjustments and kinematics. | |
| 3. At Risk of DCD, Age 4.5-5.0 | Preschool boys aged 4.5 to 5.0 years identified as at risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), based on MABC-2 scores below the 16th percentile. Participants will perform a motor task catching a horizontally moving object under two time-constrained conditions, with simultaneous pressure and video data collection. | |
| 4. At Risk of DCD, Age 6.5-7.0 | Preschool boys aged 6.6 to 7.0 years identified as at risk for motor coordination difficulties (DCD), based on scoring below the 16th percentile on the MABC-2. The experimental procedure includes a pendulum-catching task with detailed analysis of motor control and postural strategies. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Mean Onset Time of Upper-Limb Movement and Anticipatory Postural Adjustments (via COP) in a Horizontal Catching Task
Measured: single 60-minute session
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Jun 2025
- Study start31 Mar 2025
- Primary completion1 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionJun 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Development Coordination DisorderStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Masaryk University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07028762
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MUID2181034
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 11 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 5 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Publications
Gaveau V, Pisella L, Priot AE, Fukui T, Rossetti Y, Pelisson D, Prablanc C. Automatic online control of motor adjustments in reaching and grasping. Neuropsychologia. 2014 Mar;55:25-40. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2013.12.005. Epub 2013 Dec 13.
PubMed 24334110
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Motor Coordination During Catching of a Moving Object in Preschool Children as the Indicator of Motor Development
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07028762
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MUID2181034
- Keywords
- motor control, predictive control, feedback control, developmental coordination disorder -DCD, anticipatory postural adjustments- APA, interception task, preschool children, MABC-2
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Masaryk UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 31 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 19 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This research project investigates the development of predictive and online motor control in preschool-aged boys with typical development and those with motor difficulties, specifically children at risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). The study is being conducted as part of a doctoral dissertation at the Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University in Brno, in cooperation with the integration and rehabilitation center Lentilka in Pardubice.
The aim of the study is to assess how children plan, initiate, and adjust their movements in response to a dynamic, time-sensitive task-catching a horizontally moving object (pendulum) under two different time constraints. By comparing performance between typically developing children and those identified as being at risk for motor difficulties, the study aims to improve our understanding of motor control development and support the creation of more effective diagnostic and educational strategies.
Participants in this study will be preschool boys from two age groups: 4.6 to 5.0 years and 6.5 to 7.0 years. Each age group will include 10 children with typical motor development and 10 children with motor difficulties, defined as scoring below the 16th percentile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children - Second Edition (MABC-2). In total, the study aims to recruit 40 participants. Children with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, uncorrected visual impairments, hearing loss, psychiatric or neurological conditions, or significant behavioral or orthopedic problems will be excluded from participation.
Each child will complete two parts of the study protocol. The first involves a standardized motor assessment using the MABC-2, which evaluates both fine and gross motor skills, including tasks such as threading beads, catching, and balance activities. The second part is an experimental task requiring interception of a swinging foam ring attached to a horizontal pendulum. The children will attempt to stop the pendulum at a precise moment under two time conditions: either on its first pass through the target zone (approximately 0.750 seconds after release) or on its second pass (approximately 1.5 seconds after release). The task will be performed using both the dominant and non-dominant hand, with multiple repetitions in each condition.
During the experiment, children will stand on a pressure-sensitive mat (CONFORMat® Tekscan), which records shifts in their center of pressure (COP). Upper limb movement will be captured using reflective markers placed on anatomical landmarks (shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand), and recorded by four video cameras (two sagittal, two frontal). Movement data will be analyzed using Dartfish software.
The study will focus on several key outcome measures: anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) based on COP movement prior to arm motion, spatial accuracy of the stopping movement (angular deviation), trajectory and velocity of COP displacement, timing of movement initiation based on radial styloid marker velocity, joint angles and segmental velocity, and overall smoothness of upper limb motion. All data and recordings will be pseudonymized, securely stored, and used exclusively for research purposes. Recordings will be deleted upon project completion.
This study aims to clarify the developmental trajectory of anticipatory and online motor control strategies in early childhood and to distinguish between typical and atypical motor patterns. The findings are expected to contribute to early screening practices and the development of targeted educational and therapeutic interventions for children with motor coordination difficulties. Ethical approval for the study has been granted by the Research Ethics Committee of Masaryk University. Participation is voluntary, and parents will receive individualized feedback on their child's motor performance after assessment.
Detailed description
This study investigates the development of predictive and feedback motor control mechanisms in preschool-aged children (ages 4.5 to 7) during a visuomotor interception task. The primary objective is to evaluate age-related changes in upper limb coordination and postural control by comparing typically developing children with peers exhibiting motor difficulties, specifically those at risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD).
Interceptive actions, such as catching a moving object, impose high demands on the motor control system, requiring rapid integration of sensory information-visual and proprioceptive-alongside anticipatory postural adjustments and online movement corrections. In typically developing children, the capacity to anticipate and adapt to dynamic stimuli improves significantly between the ages of 4.5 and 7. In contrast, children with DCD often display impairments in these areas, which may be associated with deficits in internal modeling, reduced anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs), and delayed sensorimotor integration. To explore these mechanisms in a controlled environment, the study employs a dynamic bimanual interception task that involves stopping a foam circular pendulum moving horizontally along a rod. This setup allows for precise evaluation of motor response timing and quality, encompassing both upper limb kinematics and center of pressure (COP) displacement.
The research is based on a cross-sectional experimental design involving 60 preschool boys aged 4 to 7 years. Participants are evenly divided into three age cohorts and two motor proficiency groups, identified via the standardized Movement Assessment Battery for Children - Second Edition (MABC-2). Children scoring below the 16th percentile are classified as having motor difficulties. During the experiment, each child performs a bimanual interception task requiring them to stop the pendulum at a defined spatial target ("zero point") under two temporal conditions: intercepting the pendulum on its first pass (short interval, approximately 750 milliseconds from release) and on its second pass (long interval, approximately 1500 milliseconds from release). Multiple trials are conducted in each condition.
Upper limb movements are recorded using four high-resolution video cameras (sampling rate 50 Hz) positioned in sagittal and frontal planes. Motion is tracked via reflective markers placed on anatomical landmarks: the radial styloid process (wrist), lateral epicondyle (elbow), and deltoid insertion (shoulder). Postural control is assessed using a CONFORMat® pressure-sensitive platform operating at 100 Hz, which captures center of pressure trajectory and parameters relevant to anticipatory postural activity, including displacement, velocity, and root mean square (RMS) values. System synchronization is ensured through LED light pulses and color-coded timestamps, with an estimated precision of ±8 milliseconds. Video recordings are analyzed using Dartfish software, which is validated for 2D motion analysis, showing strong reliability (validity r ≥ .95; ICC ≥ .91).
Kinematic parameters include the timing of movement initiation relative to pendulum motion, peak velocity and time to peak velocity of the wrist marker, smoothness of the trajectory derived from acceleration profiles, and spatial accuracy of interception measured as angular deviation from the target. Postural variables include total COP path length as an indicator of stability, the range of movement in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions, and the mean and RMS values of velocity and displacement during anticipatory postural phases.
This integrative approach allows for a detailed analysis of how young children plan, execute, and adapt their movements in real time. By comparing typically developing children with those at risk for motor coordination difficulties, the study aims to contribute to a better understanding of early motor control mechanisms and inform the development of more targeted diagnostic and intervention strategies.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Typical Development, Age 4.5-5.0 | – | –Preschool boys aged 4.5 to 5.0 years with typical motor development, as determined by scoring between the 16th and 84th percentile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children - Second Edition (MABC-2). Participants will perform a catching task under two timing conditions while standing on a pressure mat and being video-recorded for motion analysis. |
| 2. Typical Development, Age 6.5-7.0 | – | –Preschool boys aged 6.6 to 7.0 years with typical motor development, identified by MABC-2 scores between the 16th and 84th percentile. Children will complete the same experimental task involving the interception of a moving pendulum, with analysis of anticipatory postural adjustments and kinematics. |
| 3. At Risk of DCD, Age 4.5-5.0 | – | –Preschool boys aged 4.5 to 5.0 years identified as at risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), based on MABC-2 scores below the 16th percentile. Participants will perform a motor task catching a horizontally moving object under two time-constrained conditions, with simultaneous pressure and video data collection. |
| 4. At Risk of DCD, Age 6.5-7.0 | – | –Preschool boys aged 6.6 to 7.0 years identified as at risk for motor coordination difficulties (DCD), based on scoring below the 16th percentile on the MABC-2. The experimental procedure includes a pendulum-catching task with detailed analysis of motor control and postural strategies. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 4 to 7 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
- Study population
- The study population consists of preschool boys aged 4.5 to 7.0 years. Participants will be recruited from mainstream kindergartens and from an integrative preschool and rehabilitation center in the Czech Republic. The sample includes children with typical motor development, as well as children identified by educators and therapists as having motor coordination difficulties. Data will be collected within familiar educational or therapeutic environments to support natural task engagement.
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Age between 4.0 and 7.0 years (preschool age)
- Male sex
- Motor performance within the defined inclusion range based on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children - 2nd Edition (MABC-2)
- Typically developing children (as assessed by educators or therapists), or
- Children identified as having motor coordination difficulties
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Children with intellectual disability
- autism spectrum disorder
- uncorrected vision impairment
- hearing loss
- neurological or psychiatric conditions, behavioral disorders, or orthopedic limitations will be excluded.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Mean Onset Time of Upper-Limb Movement and Anticipatory Postural Adjustments (via COP) in a Horizontal Catching Task
Time frame: single 60-minute session
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Nov 2026.
- Background: PubMed 24334110Gaveau V, Pisella L, Priot AE, Fukui T, Rossetti Y, Pelisson D, Prablanc C. Automatic online control of motor adjustments in reaching and grasping. Neuropsychologia. 2014 Mar;55:25-40. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2013.12.005. Epub 2013 Dec 13.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Development Coordination Disorder and Motor Disabilities, run by Masaryk University at 1 site in Czechia.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Czechia. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Lukáš Teply, Master degree (+420776845807, l.teply@seznam.cz), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Mean Onset Time of Upper-Limb Movement and Anticipatory Postural Adjustments (via COP) in a Horizontal Catching Task (time frame: single 60-minute session). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07028762, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Nov 2026.