Motor Skills Training Improved Developmental Coordination
A new pilot study suggests targeted movement training may boost motor skills and executive function in children.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Children’s Health
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Should schools implement specialized motor-cognitive training programs for children with developmental coordination disorders?
Researchers have found that a school-based program combining physical movement training with visualization techniques helped children with developmental coordination disorder. The findings offer a potential strategy to support physical and cognitive development in this population.
Why it matters
This intervention aims to address motor skill challenges while simultaneously targeting executive function, providing a dual-benefit approach for children with developmental coordination disorder. The study highlights the potential of school-based programs to support learning and physical outcomes.
In a pilot randomized controlled trial of 20 children with developmental coordination disorder, those receiving combined movement training, action observation, and motor imagery showed greater gains in motor skills and executive function compared to a control group receiving physical activity education.
The details
The training program required participants to engage in three sessions per week over a 10-week period. The experimental intervention uniquely integrated fundamental movement skills with action observation and motor imagery, which may help bridge the gap between mental planning and physical execution. By using both physical movement and visualization, the study aimed to improve reaction times and the efficiency of cognitive processing during executive function tasks.
Timeline
Participants completed training sessions three times per week for 10 weeks.
Health Landscape
This research contributes to an evolving landscape of school-based interventions that move beyond traditional physical education by integrating cognitive strategies. It sits within a growing body of work using the Test of Gross Motor Development-3 to track how specialized training protocols influence developmental milestones.
If your child is diagnosed with developmental coordination disorder, discuss with their pediatrician or school occupational therapist whether adding visualization techniques to physical activities could be beneficial. Because this was a small pilot study, parents should view these findings as preliminary and consult a specialist before initiating specific new therapy routines.
The takeaway
Targeting executive function alongside physical movement may provide a more comprehensive approach to managing developmental coordination disorder. Consult with a qualified clinician or physical therapist to determine if structured movement interventions are appropriate for your child's specific developmental needs.
Further reading
For more on supporting physical development in youth, visit our Children’s Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Nature.
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Should schools implement specialized motor-cognitive training programs for children with developmental coordination disorders?
