The effects of rebound exercises on static and dynamic balance in educable children with mental retardation

Abstract Introduction: Mentally retarded children are among those who, due to special mental conditions are more sedentary than healthy people. This physical inactivity leads to motor and body weaknesses in them. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks Rebound exercises on static and dynamic balance in mentally retarded educable children. Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study a total of 30 male students, 7 to 11 year-old studying at special schools of Lordegan, with mean age and standard deviation (8.4±1.27) and IQ 50 to 70(62.10±5.88), were purposefully and availably selected as the sample and were randomly assigned to two matched groups: control (n = 15) and experimental (n = 15) according to their IQ scores. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency was used to evaluate subjects’ balance. During 8 weeks of workouts, the experimental group performed the Rebound exercises three sessions per week, each session lasted 45 minutes. At the end of this period both groups were post-tested. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to statistical analysis with α = 0.05. Results: Average pre-test static balance test records in both experimental and control groups, respectively, 5.44 and 6.86 seconds. In order to test the rate of 6.92 and 7.15 Seconds has been and Average pre-test dynamic balance test records in both experimental and control groups were, respectively, 3.42 and 4.37 steps. In order to test the amount of 4.64 and 4.28 step has been. Therefore Research findings showed that Rebound exercises had a significant effect on static balance (p=.002) and dynamic balance (p=.000) in mentally retarded children. Conclusion: Findings indicated that rebound exercise therapy can be used in rehabilitation of mentally retarded children. Keywords: rebound exercises, static balance, dynamic balance, mental retardation