Criterion A in developmental coordination disorder: Is motor competence efficiently assessed? A systematic review and meta-analysis of mixed evidence from standardized assessments

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Standardized motor batteries are widely used to assess motor competence in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD), although it remains unclear whether they consistently capture the domains most affected by the disorder. AIMS: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to examine the motor competence domains in which children and adolescents with DCD differ from their typically developing (TD) peers, as assessed through standardized motor batteries. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A systematic search was conducted in four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus) up to November 12, 2025. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Thirty studies were included, comprising 3934 participants (1663 DCD groups and 2271 TD peers). Most studies used the MABC, with eight using the MABC-1 and 18 the MABC-2; two the TGMD-2, one the BOTMP, and one the KTK. Overall, children with DCD consistently demonstrated lower motor skills across all domains. However, the relative pattern of impairment across the various subdomains was not consistent, particularly in the MABC. Meta-analytic findings indicated that manual dexterity was relatively more affected in the MABC-1, whereas aiming and catching emerged as the relatively more affected domain in the MABC-2, in both DCD and TD groups. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings suggest that standardized motor batteries are useful for operationalizing Criterion A, but their results should be interpreted cautiously and within a broader clinical and functional framework rather than as sufficient markers in isolation.