Exploring the Effects of Acute Digital Sports Dance Intervention on Children’s Gross Motor Development, Executive Function, and Muscle Coordination Using Electromyography Sensors: A Randomized Repeated-Measures Study

TL;DR

Digital dance with rhythm improves children's motor skills, brain function, and muscle coordination more than other activities.

Contribution

A new approach combining rhythm and movement is shown to enhance children's motor-cognitive development.

Findings

GODA improved locomotor and ball skills more than CODA and CON.

GODA enhanced inhibition and shifting in executive function.

GODA increased muscle coordination in standing jumps and single-leg balance.

Abstract

Objective: This paper examines how rhythm-enhanced digital dance affects children’s motor abilities, cognitive performance, and neuromuscular synchronization. Methods: In a randomized repeated-measures study, 38 children (7–12 years) underwent three conditions: groove music-accompanied dance (GODA), conventional music dance (CODA), and non-musical physical activity (CON). Assessments of gross motor skills (using TGMD-3), executive function (using BRIEF and Stroop Test), and muscle coordination (using sEMG) were conducted. Results: Gross motor skills: GODA showed significantly higher TGMD scores in locomotor (p = 0.03) and ball skills (p = 0.02) compared to both CODA and CON (p < 0.001). Executive function: Inhibition and shifting dimensions showed significant post-intervention condition differences (p < 0.05). Muscle coordination: GODA exhibited greater β- and γ-band COH areas in the standing long jump compared to both CODA (p = 0.02) and CON (p < 0.001), and increased γ-band COH areas in single-leg balance compared to CODA (p = 0.02) and CON (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Combining rhythmic auditory stimulation with movement training offers a promising approach for integrated motor-cognitive development in children.

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