To systematically review published research literature to identify and evaluate the
effectiveness of perceptual motor training on improvement in motor performance in individuals
with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Methods: Multiple databases were
methodically searched for articles related to Developmental Coordination Disorder; only
descriptive, intervention or qualitative articles were retained. Results: A generalized performance
deficit may be observed in majority of the children with DCD. Pronounced difficulty in internal
(forward) modeling, rhythmic coordination, executive function, gait and postural control, catching
and interceptive action, and aspects of sensoriperceptual function were observed in most of the
individuals diagnosed with DCD. Research indicates that poor motor co-ordination has far-reaching
implications for social and emotional wellbeing. DCD occurs not only in children, as motor
difficulties are retained in adulthood. Conclusions: The perceptual motor training approach may
result in positive outcomes in motor performance in individuals with DCD. Cognitive orientation to
daily occupational performance was observed to be a superior alternative to contemporary
coordination treatment approach. Furthermore, psychomotor therapy placing emphasis on music
rhythm and sensory integration therapy was observed to have a sustainably facilitative impact.
In this study, we investigated the benefits of differential psychotherapeutic
intervention techniques on the modification of autonomic competence and its
impact on the visual reaction ability of young competitive netball players.
Thirty-six young female netball players with an age range of 18–24 years
were recruited. Upon baseline evaluation of psychomotor (reaction time);
physiological (resting heart-rate and VO2max) and psychobiological (Sc
components: latency, amplitude and recovery time) indices, we categorised
the subjects into three groups: Group I (control group in which the subjects
did not receive any intervention), Group II (experimental group in which the
subjects received abbreviated progressive muscle relaxation (APMR)
training) and Group III (experimental group in which the subjects received
imagery-based relaxation intervention (IRT) training). The subjects from the
experimental groups (Group I and Group II) were subjected to their respective
interventions (APMR and IRT) for 24 sessions following the protocol, viz.,
20 min/day, 2 days/week for 12 weeks). After six weeks of intervention, we
conducted mid-term evaluation on all of the aforementioned parameters that
had been determined during baseline evaluation. Following this, intervention
sessions were continued using the same protocol for six more weeks. At the
end of twelfth week, we conducted post-intervention assessment on all
psychological, psychomotor and psychobiological variables to verify the
effect of training on the dependent measures. Based on the results, we found
that there are improvements in various parameters during the mid-term
evaluation and post-intervention analysis, which can be rationally attributed
to the differential therapeutic interventions introduced to the subjects of the
experimental groups. The results suggest that both of the intervention
techniques facilitate in improving the reaction ability whereas our in-depth
analysis clarifies that netball players with a relatively lower phasic Sc but
with higher extent of amplitude, had faster recovery which will be highly
beneficial since they are able to regulate their task-focus well enough to yield
faster agile reaction performance.
The beneficial impact of the differential biofeedback intervention technique on modification in autonomic competence, as well as the ultimate impact on bilateral shooting ability, were studied on young and competitive male soccer players. A total of 45 young high-performing soccer players in the age range of 18 to 24 years were recruited. At first, the players were subjected to baseline evaluation of psychomotor (i.e., reaction time - RT), physiological (viz. resting heart-rate; VO2Max, electrical muscle potentiality, etc.), and psychobiological indices (such as skin conductance components - latency, amplitude and recovery time). Thereafter, they were equally categorized into: Control Group, Experimental Group I [who received skin conductance (Sc) biofeedback training], and Experimental Group II [who received electromyography (EMG) biofeedback intervention training]. Participants of the experimental groups were subjected to their respective interventions (Sc & EMG biofeedback intervention training), which were imparted for 24 sessions (15 mins/day; 2 days/week for 12 weeks). After six weeks of intervention, mid-term evaluation of all of the aforementioned parameters (assessed during baseline evaluation) was performed. Thereafter, intervention sessions continued following the identical protocol for six weeks. At the end of the 12th week, a post-intervention assessment on all of the psychological, psychomotor and psychobiological variables was carried out on all of the participants to verify the effect of training on dependent measures. Post-intervention analyses revealed improvements in physiological, psychobiological and performance parameters, which could be rationally attributed to the differential biofeedback therapeutic interventions introduced to the experimental groups. The outcome suggested that both interventions facilitated improvement in bilateral shooting ability, while indepth analyses clarified that a higher extent of autonomic recovery emerged as the most significant factor facilitating shooting ability in the experimental groups.