The effectiveness of functional training on static balance, dynamic balance and flexibility of females with intellectual disability

Abstract

Background: Children with intellectual disability (ID) have less balance and flexibility than typically developing peers. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of functional training on static balance, dynamic balance and flexibility of female students with intellectual disability. Material/Methods: The research method was pre-test – post-test with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all female students with ID in elementary school of Shiraz studying under the auspices of the Special Education Organization in 2018–2019. The participants included 30 female students with ID selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The experimental group received functional training for 15 sessions, while the control group did not receive any intervention. The Single leg stance test was used for measuring static balance; the Tandem gait test was used for measuring dynamic balance, and the Sit and Reach test was used for measuring flexibility. The collected data were analyzed using ANCOVA. Results: The results showed that functional training had a significant effect on static and dynamic balance and flexibility of female students with intellectual disability (p<0.05). Conclusions: It is recommended that functional training be given special attention by educators, teachers and child education experts.

The effect and durability of functional exercises on Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) scores in people with intellectual disabilities: a preliminary report

“…Stimulating sensory, nervous and dynamic systems in this study, the activity of the ankles by movement types and pressure, dynamic balance and lateral superiority and spatial perception in the exercise protocol may have caused improvements in nerve and muscle coordination and increased the stimulation of proprioception receptors in ankle muscles and this part balance (Lee et al 2016). On the other hand, probably, functional exercises can improve balance by improving the system of proprioception in the joints and obtaining more comprehensive and qualitative information and sending it to the cerebellum (Farrokhian et al 2021).…”

“…On the other hand, probably, functional exercises can improve balance by improving the system of proprioception in the joints and obtaining more comprehensive and qualitative information and sending it to the cerebellum (Farrokhian et al . 2021).…”

Effect of Functional Training on Fundamental Motor Skills Among Children: A Systematic Review

“…Depending on the statistics, the average value of dynamic balance skill increased by 10%-25%, with p < 0.00 [29,30,32]. Static balance skill increased by 46.3% on the single-leg standing test [40]. When using the stable platform ALFA, regardless of whether the eyes were open or closed, the path length test results indicated that the static balance skill level varied signi cantly, with p < 0.001 [36,39].…”

Movement Patterns of Polish National Paralympic Team Wheelchair Fencers with Regard to Muscle Activity and Co-Activation Time

“…Most commonly, muscle co-activation can be calculated from pre-recorded muscle contractions (activity) using surface EMG. However, a decrease in the co-activation index, calculated as antagonistic muscle activity divided by agonistic muscle activity, indicates a higher level of agonistic activity or a lower level of antagonistic activity resisting the movement ( Barrata et al, 1988 ; Farrokhian et al, 2021 ; Hamada et al, 2000 ; Kellis et al, 2003 ; Sale, 2004 ). The co-activation mechanism is important for the stabilization of given joints, and it promotes motor control of particular actions ( Aagaard et al, 2000 ; Bazzucchi et al, 2004 , 2006 ; Sbriccoli et al, 2010 ).…”

“…In contrast, fencers from Group A generated relatively low tension levels with a similar activation pattern of selected muscles. According to the recorded pattern of muscle activation during a direct thrust to a visual stimulus (a movement of the coach's blade), the fencer's muscles of the upper limb, abdomen and back are the first to be activated, constituting a specific postural system (Borysiuk et al, 2020a;Farrokhian et al, 2021;Ying-ki et al, 2010Ying-ki et al, , 2013. The recording of bioelectrical activity of muscles can demonstrate significant differences among athletes, even in repetitive motor activities.…”