{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,31]],"date-time":"2025-12-31T13:51:05Z","timestamp":1767189065307,"version":"3.48.0"},"reference-count":38,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,29]],"date-time":"2025-12-29T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1766966400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Sports"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) experience motor competence challenges that hinder their participation in physical activities and affect daily functioning. While traditional motor skills training is commonly used, sport-based interventions offer the potential for greater benefits by providing dynamic, contextually rich environments for learning. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mini-handball training versus conventional motor skills training in improving coordination in children with DCD. Methods: Forty-four children aged 9\u201310 years from Khorezm, Uzbekistan, with coordination difficulties (scores below the 16th percentile in the MABC-2) were randomly assigned to three groups: mini-handball training (n = 15), motor skills training (n = 15), and control (n = 14). Both intervention groups participated in three 90 min sessions per week for 12 weeks. The mini-handball group engaged in sport-specific drills including passing, dribbling, shooting, and small-sided games, while the motor skills group performed balance, locomotor, and fine motor exercises. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using the MABC-2. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models with time, group, and their interaction as fixed effects. Results: Both intervention groups demonstrated significant improvements in motor coordination compared to controls. However, in general, the mini-handball group outperformed the other groups, particularly in domains requiring anticipatory control and visuomotor integration, including aiming and catching, balance, and overall coordination scores. Conclusions: Mini-handball represents a promising, ecologically valid intervention for children with DCD. By integrating motor skills practice with cognitive challenge, social interaction, and intrinsic motivation within a meaningful sport context, mini-handball appears more effective than traditional training approaches. These findings suggest that sport-based, open-skill interventions should be considered in therapeutic protocols, school curricula, and community programs for children with DCD. Future research should examine long-term retention, transfer to daily activities, and implementation across diverse populations.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/sports14010001","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,31]],"date-time":"2025-12-31T13:30:52Z","timestamp":1767187852000},"page":"1","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Optimizing Motor Coordination in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: Mini-Handball vs. Motor Skills Training"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"given":"Hurshida","family":"Bekmanova","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences, Urgench State Pedagogical Institute, Urgench 220100, Uzbekistan"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9557-2391","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Orifjon","family":"Saidmamatov","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences, Mamun University, Khiva 220100, Uzbekistan"}]},{"given":"Jasurbek","family":"Jammatov","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences, Mamun University, Khiva 220100, Uzbekistan"}]},{"given":"Taxirbek","family":"Salayev","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences, Mamun University, Khiva 220100, Uzbekistan"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8738-9212","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Raximov","family":"Quvondiq","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Sports Activities, Pedagogy and Psychology, Urgench State University, Urgench 220100, Uzbekistan"}]},{"given":"Shikhov","family":"Gayrat","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Taekwondo and Sports Activities, Mirzo Ulugbek National University of Uzbekistan, Tashkent 100174, Uzbekistan"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4505-0653","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Olga","family":"Vasconcelos","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Motor Control and Learning Laboratory, CIFI2D, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3596-9992","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rita","family":"Barros","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Insight: Piaget Research Center for Ecological Human Development, Av. Jo\u00e3o Paulo II, 1950-157 Lisboa, Portugal"},{"name":"Centre for Research and Intervention in Education (CIIE) of the Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, Rua Alfredo Allen, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4658-9781","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Cla\u00fadia","family":"Sousa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Insight: Piaget Research Center for Ecological Human Development, Av. Jo\u00e3o Paulo II, 1950-157 Lisboa, Portugal"},{"name":"HEI-Lab: Digital Human-Environment Interaction Lab, Lusofona University, 4000-098 Porto, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6018-3222","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Paula","family":"Rodrigues","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Motor Control and Learning Laboratory, CIFI2D, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal"},{"name":"Insight: Piaget Research Center for Ecological Human Development, Av. Jo\u00e3o Paulo II, 1950-157 Lisboa, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,29]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"American Psychiatric Association (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, American Psychiatric Association. [5th ed., text rev.].","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.books.9780890425787"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.1300\/J006v27n01_06","article-title":"A trajectory of troubles: Parents\u2019 impressions of the impact of developmental coordination disorder","volume":"27","author":"Missiuna","year":"2007","journal-title":"Phys. Occup. Ther. Pediatr."},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"Campbell, S.K., Palisano, R.J., and Orlin, M. (2011). Developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Physical Therapy for Children, Saunders. [4th ed.]."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1198","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ridd.2014.01.007","article-title":"Psychological distress in children with developmental coordination disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder","volume":"35","author":"Missiuna","year":"2014","journal-title":"Res. Dev. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"662","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pedneo.2019.03.012","article-title":"Self-efficacy profile in daily activities: Children at risk and with developmental coordination disorder","volume":"60","author":"Nobre","year":"2019","journal-title":"Pediatr. Neonatol."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alghadier, M., and Alhusayni, A.I. (2024). Evaluating the Efficacy of Gross-Motor-Based Interventions for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Systematic Review. J. Clin. Med., 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm13164609"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"256","DOI":"10.1177\/0308022619866116","article-title":"Effectiveness of interventions to improve participation outcomes for children with developmental coordination disorder: A systematic review","volume":"83","author":"Robinson","year":"2020","journal-title":"Br. J. Occup. Ther."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yasunaga, M., Miyaguchi, H., Ishizuki, C., Kita, Y., and Nakai, A. (2023). Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance. Brain Sci., 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/brainsci13050721"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"288","DOI":"10.3109\/01942638.2011.565864","article-title":"Goal-Orientated Group Intervention for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder","volume":"31","author":"Dunford","year":"2011","journal-title":"Phys. Occup. Ther. Pediatr."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4073","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ridd.2013.08.036","article-title":"The effect of visual therapy on the ocular motor control of seven-to eight-year-old children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD)","volume":"34","author":"Coetzee","year":"2013","journal-title":"Res. Dev. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_11","first-page":"15","article-title":"Perceptual-motor intervention for developmental coordination disorder in Grade 1 children","volume":"37","author":"Coetzee","year":"2015","journal-title":"S. Afr. J. Res. Sport Phys. Educ. Recreat."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"72","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ridd.2018.01.002","article-title":"Evaluating the evidence for motor-based interventions in developmental coordination disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"74","author":"Blank","year":"2018","journal-title":"Res. Dev. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2076","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apmr.2017.12.009","article-title":"Motor Skill Interventions in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis","volume":"99","author":"Yu","year":"2018","journal-title":"Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1186\/s40798-025-00833-w","article-title":"Motor-Based Interventions in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials","volume":"11","author":"Gao","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sports Med.-Open"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"894","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ridd.2011.01.017","article-title":"Physical activity and fitness in children with developmental coordination disorder: A systematic review","volume":"32","author":"Rivilis","year":"2011","journal-title":"Res. Dev. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sun, S., and Chen, C. (2024). The Effect of Sports Game Intervention on Children\u2019s Fundamental Motor Skills: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Children, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/children11020254"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zolghadr, H., Sedaghati, P., Daneshmandi, H., and Sokhangoe, Y. (2024). Effects of mini-basketball training on improving the motor coordination of children with intellectual disabilities and developmental coordination disorders: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Sports Sci. Med. Rehabil., 16.","DOI":"10.1186\/s13102-024-01044-8"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"44","DOI":"10.1111\/1467-8624.00117","article-title":"Close interrelation of motor development and cognitive development and of the cerebellum and pre-frontal cortex","volume":"71","author":"Diamond","year":"2000","journal-title":"Child Dev."},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Kremer, J., Trew, K., and Ogle, S. (2012). Young People\u2019s Involvement in Sport, Taylor & Francis."},{"key":"ref_20","unstructured":"Greco, P., Tamburini, C., and Amicone, G. (2009). Teaching Handball at School: A Games-Based Approach, International Handball Federation Technical Commission."},{"key":"ref_21","first-page":"503","article-title":"A review of research on Sport Education: 2004 to the present","volume":"18","author":"Hastie","year":"2013","journal-title":"Phys. Educ. Sport Pedagog."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"85","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ridd.2011.08.023","article-title":"Taekwondo training improves sensory organization and balance con-trol in children with developmental coordination disorder: A randomized controlled trial","volume":"33","author":"Fong","year":"2012","journal-title":"Res. Dev. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1446","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ridd.2013.01.025","article-title":"Differential effect of Taekwondo training on knee muscle strength and reactive and static balance control in children with developmental coordination disorder: A randomized controlled trial","volume":"34","author":"Fong","year":"2013","journal-title":"Res. Dev. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_24","first-page":"796","article-title":"The Effects of Cognitively Challenging Physical Activity Games versus Health-Related Fitness Activities on Students\u2019 Executive Functions and Situational Interest in Physical Education: A Group-Randomized Controlled Trial","volume":"13","author":"Kolovelonis","year":"2023","journal-title":"Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hsu, R.M.C.S., Cardoso, F.L., Varella, M.A.C., Pires, E.M., and Valentova, J.V. (2022). Comparing different typologies of physical activities with a focus on motivation. Front. Psychol., 13.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2022.790490"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Contreras-Osorio, F., Guzm\u00e1n-Guzm\u00e1n, I.P., Cerda-Vega, E., Chirosa-R\u00edos, L., Ram\u00edrez-Campillo, R., and Campos-Jara, C. (2022). Effects of the Type of Sports Practice on the Executive Functions of Schoolchildren. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19073886"},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"733","article-title":"Original Article A study of key cognitive skills in handball using the Vienna test system","volume":"19","author":"Brigitta","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Phys. Educ. Sport"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"20953","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-023-48335-7","article-title":"Young basketball players have better manual dexterity performance than sportsmen and non-sportsmen of the same age: A cross-sectional study","volume":"13","author":"Amato","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1197","DOI":"10.1007\/s11332-025-01359-0","article-title":"Movement Assessment Battery for Children\u2014Second edition (MABC-2): Aspects of reliability for Tunisian children (age band 1)","volume":"21","author":"Arbi","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sport Sci. Health"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Henderson, S.E., Sugden, D.A., and Barnett, A.L. (2007). Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2, The Psychological Corporation.","DOI":"10.1037\/t55281-000"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"64","DOI":"10.1177\/0013164415580432","article-title":"Alternative Models for Small Samples in Psychological Research: Applying Linear Mixed Effects Models and Generalized Estimating Equations to Repeated Measures Data","volume":"76","author":"Muth","year":"2016","journal-title":"Educ. Psychol. Meas."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/02687038.2018.1454884","article-title":"Statistical analysis in Small-N Designs: Using linear mixed-effects modeling for evaluating intervention effectiveness","volume":"33","author":"Wiley","year":"2018","journal-title":"Aphasiology"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104092","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jml.2020.104092","article-title":"Best practice guidance for linear mixed-effects models in psychological science","volume":"112","author":"Meteyard","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Mem. Lang."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bandc.2012.02.004","article-title":"Effects of exercise intervention on event-related potential and task performance indices of attention networks in children with developmental coordination disorder","volume":"79","author":"Tsai","year":"2012","journal-title":"Brain Cogn."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"122","DOI":"10.2340\/16501977-0496","article-title":"Effects of group-based versus individual-based exercise training on motor performance in children with developmental coordination disorder: A randomized controlled study","volume":"42","author":"Hung","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Rehabil. Med."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Valadi, S., Dehghanizadeh, J., Gabbard, C., and Cairney, J. (2025). Effectiveness of affordances on physical literacy and quality of life: Investigating the nonlinear approach of fundamental movement skills and a selection of handball sports skills. BMC Pediatr., 25.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12887-025-05916-x"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Saidmamatov, O., Raximov, Q., Rodrigues, P., and Vasconcelos, O. (2021). A ten-week motor skills training program increases motor competence in children with developmental coordination disorder. Children, 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/children8121147"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Saidmamatov, O., Sanjarbek, K., Vasconcelos, O., and Rodrigues, P. (2022). Sustainability of a Given Ten-Week Motor Skills Training Program for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder. Sports, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/sports10110164"}],"container-title":["Sports"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-4663\/14\/1\/1\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,31]],"date-time":"2025-12-31T13:48:06Z","timestamp":1767188886000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2075-4663\/14\/1\/1"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,29]]},"references-count":38,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,1]]}},"alternative-id":["sports14010001"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/sports14010001","relation":{},"ISSN":["2075-4663"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2075-4663","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,29]]}}}