RehabMove 2018: WE12BFIT! IMPROVING PHYSICAL FITNESS AND LIFESTYLE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN 7-12 YEAR OLD CHILDREN WITH DCD

AIM: To describe the effectiveness of We12BFit!, a family focused intervention to increase physical fitness (PF), motivation for physical activity (PA) and to improve lifestyle PA in children with DCD.

PARTICIPANTS: The intervention was evaluated in 19 children aged 7-12, with DCD recruited from rehabilitation centers and schools for special education.

METHODOLOGY: During the intervention the participants engaged in a ten week group training, twice a week for one hour. Exercises focused on improving cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscle strength and anaerobic power. Six weeks into the training sessions a family-focused lifestyle PA intervention was added, which ended 12 weeks after the last training session. Motivation for PA was targeted through application of behaviour change strategies. Effectiveness was assessed at three instances (T0 before the training, T1 after the training, T2 after the lifestyle intervention) using 20 meter Shuttle Run Test, Muscle Power Sprint Test and Hand Held Dynamometry. Training intensity was monitored with heart rate monitors. The lifestyle intervention was evaluated using interviews with participants and coaches.

RESULTS: Preliminary analysis revealed significant improvements in CRF from T0 to T1. Positive trends were found for mean power, elbow flexion, knee flexion, however significance of the effects was not retained after Bonferroni correction. Handgrip strength, elbow and leg extension did not improve significantly. From T1 to T2 PF seemed to stabilize as there were no significant differences. During the interviews parents indicated that they were able to meet the goals they set (e.g. finding a suitable sport, increasing active transportation). In addition, they stressed that the training intervention was of particular value in increasing their child’s self-esteem, perseverance and participation in PA. We12Bfit! has the potential of improving PF and participation in activities in children with DCD.