A comparison of the oxygen cost and physiological responses to running in children with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder

• Differences in running technique in boys with DCD may impact oxygen cost of running.
• Examined sympathoadrenal medullary activity and pain sensitivity in boys with DCD.
• Increased energy contribution from the anaerobic system in boys with DCD.
• Boys with DCD had higher levels of sympathoadrenal medullary activity while running.
• Boys with DCD were more sensitive to pain.

The aim of this study was to compare the oxygen cost of running in boys with and without Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Fourteen boys with DCD (9.1 ± 1.4 yr) and 16 typically developing (TD) controls (9.4 ± 1.3 yr) were tested on two separate occasions at least a week apart. On the first visit, motor proficiency, body composition and maximal aerobic capacity were established. On the second visit, oxygen consumption was determined via indirect calorimetry while participants ran at three submaximal speeds (7.2 km/h, 8.0 km/h and 8.8 km/h) on a motorised treadmill for 4 min each. Additional physiological responses such as blood lactate, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate, salivary alpha amylase and pain threshold were monitored at baseline and after each submaximal effort. Although there were no differences in the oxygen cost of running at all three speeds, the boys with DCD had higher blood lactate concentration (7.2 km/h, p = 0.05; 8.0 km/h p = 0.019), heart rate (p ≤ 0.001), RER (8.0 km/h, p = 0.019; 8.8 km/h, p = 0.001), salivary alpha amylase (8.0 km/h, p = 0.023; 8.8 km/h, p = 0.020) and a lower pain threshold (p < 0.01). The higher overall metabolic cost of running in boys with DCD as indicated by the higher RER, heart rate and blood lactate concentrations, together with the higher levels of sympathoadrenal medullary activity and sensitivity to pain, may be deterring factors for participation in physical activity in this population.