Neuropsychomotor analysis in the study of regulation of motor actions in children with intellectual disabilities

The current understanding of movement control mechanisms is based on N. A. Bernstein’s theory, which describes the hierarchical structure of motor regulation and serves as a fundamental basis for the analysis of neuropsychomotor functions. The study of motor function in individuals with intellectual disabilities is of particular interest and, at the same time, challenging due to the fact that this disorder is characterized by damage to the cerebral cortex, pathological inertia of cortical processes, impaired neurodynamics, and decreased sensory system functionality, which significantly impacts the formation of motor patterns. Evaluation of the functional state of the levels of movement construction in this nosological group is relevant, as is the multidimensional analysis of motor function, which is possible through confirmatory factor analysis of this theoretical concept.

Methods and materials. The study involved 160 children aged 12 at the start of the study and 16 at the end. They were divided into 4 groups: 2 groups of individuals with intellectual disabilities and 2 groups of individuals with typical development. Using N. A. Bernstein’s level theory, a model was developed, including 18 neuropsychomotor tests distributed across 13 test studies, and a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using Jamovi 2.6.44.

Results. The greatest difficulties in organizing movement in individuals with intellectual disabilities were identified at level B, indicating that movement synergies at the thalamo-pallidal level encompass a broader range of possible movement problems.

Conclusions. Individuals with intellectual disabilities have higher overall severity scores across all factors, which may reflect a qualitatively different (weaker) mechanism for regulating motor actions compared to individuals with typical development.

1. Fomina E. V. Sportivnaya psihofiziologiya: uchebnoe posobie. Moscow, MPGU, 2016. 172 p. (In Russ.)

2. Ma Y., Zhang K., Li S. Biomechanical analysis of gait patterns in children with intellectual disabilities // Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 2021;65:912–921.

3. Leyssens L., Van Hecke R., Moons K. Postural balance problems in people with intellectual disabilities: Do not forget the sensory input systems // Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 2022;35(1):280–294.

4. Balayi E., Sedaghati P., Ahmadabadi S. Effects of neuromuscular training on postural control of children with intellectual disability and developmental coordination disorders: Neuromuscular training and postural control // BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022;23(1):631.

5. Fomina A. N. Development of proprioceptive skills using adaptive physical education methods for children with intellectual disabilities // Nauka i obrazovanie segodnya. 2018;8(31):39–44. (In Russ.).

6. Fedulova D. V., Berdyugin K. A. Pat. № 2846243 RF, MPK A61H1/00 (2006.01). Sposob dvigatel’noj reabilitacii lic s intellektual’nymi narusheniyami / № 2024135959, zayavl. 02.12.2024, opubl. 02.09.2025, Byul. № 25. (In Russ.).