Responsiveness of people with moderate and significant intellectual disability to physical stimulation

Abstract

Objective. The aim of the research was to verify whether intellectually disabled people are responsive to motor stimulation, and whether the specific physical exercises, besides traditional rehabilitation and occupational therapy, would result in physical fitness enhancement. Materials and methods. The research was carried out on 259 persons with moderate and significant intellectual disability, participants of occupational therapy workshops. They were divided into two groups: a control group that underwent traditional rehabilitation treatment and occupational therapy, and an experimental group that additionally performed feasible physical exercises for 10 months. Participants' body mass and height were measured to calculate their body mass index (BMI). Physical fitness was assessed with the Eurofit Special test and additional balance tests, at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Results. The results showed that the body mass of both men and women increased in the control group, and was reduced in the experimental group. The results of the physical fitness tests were more varied, in which the control group obtained similar results in the repeated measurements, and the experimental group significantly improved the initial results after 10 months of performing the feasible physical exercises. Conclusions. The applied physical exercises performed in the experimental group were effective because they caused body mass loss and significant improvement in physical fitness.

Effects of 4-week PNF Exercise Program on Activity, Posture, and Muscle Strength in a Patient with Abdominalis Weakness after Cesarean Section: A Single-Subject Study

“…5회 누운 자세에서 일어나 앉기 평가는 5회 앉고 일어서기 측정을 수 정한 평가 방법이다 23,24. 측정방법은 대상자가 바로 누운 자세(supine) 에서 무릎을 편 상태로 양쪽 다리를 길게 뻗어 앉은 자세(long sitting) 로 자세 변화를 5번 수행하는 동안 소요된 시간을 측정하였다.…”