# 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.

## Key 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.