The Effect of an Exercise Protocol Focused on the Combination of Strength and Proprioceptive Exercises on the Balance and Motor Performance in Boys with Intellectual Disability.

One of the main challenges of intellectually disability children is the high prevalence of gait and balance problems due to muscle weakness. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of an eight-week training protocol focused on the combination of strength and proprioceptive exercises on the balance and motor performance in boys with intellectual disability. ۳۴ boys with intellectual disability aged ۹ to ۱۳ years were selected among the available people and randomly divided into two experimental (n=۱۷) and control (n=۱۷) groups. The experimental group performed selected sports exercises for eight weeks, and the control group did not participate in any regular exercise program. Static balance, functional balance, lower limb strength and gait speed were measured before and after the training period. The results showed that the combined protocol of strength and proprioceptive exercises had a significant effect on static and functional balance, gait speed and lower limb strength (P=۰.۰۰۱). No significant change was observed in the control group (P>۰.۰۵). Combined strength and proprioceptive exercises lead to the improvement of balance and movement performance of intellectually disability boys; Therefore, it is suggested to use this exercise protocol to improve the physical fitness factors of these patients.

Keywords:

intellectual disability , functional balance , gait speed , lower limb strength