Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by uncoordinated movement relative to age. While action observation (AO) and motor imagery (MI) can both independently enhance movement skills in children, we report the first study to assess the effects of combined action observation and motor imagery (AO+MI) on automatic imitation in children aged 7-12 years, both with (n = 12) and without DCD (n = 12). On each trial participants planned to execute an instructed rhythmical action (face washing or paint brushing). Before responding, participants observed a rhythmical distractor showing the same or different action, with a subtle speed manipulation across trials (fast vs slow). Automatic imitation was quantified as an imitation bias in subsequent response cycle times. Across blocks of trials participants engaged in AO, MI, or combined AO+MI during the distractor phase, or intentionally imitated the distractor speeds. While there were no between-group differences, combined AO+MI instructions produced a significantly greater imitation bias (115%) than both AO (109%) and MI (109%), with intentional imitation yielding the strongest effects overall (128%). Within-subjects analyses revealed a significant bias for AO and MI in both groups.Combined AO+MI effects were significantly greater than AO in typically developing children, and greater than both AO and MI in DCD children. These results demonstrate a clear capacity for different forms of motor simulation in children both with and without DCD. Moreover, combined AO+MI instructions represent an advantageous method for training movements in children with different motor abilities, compared to separate AO and MI.

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Highlights• Imitation was less accurate in children with DCD compared to children without DCD • Motor imagery during action observation enhanced imitation in both groups• AO+MI is a promising tool for training children with different motor abilities