Effects of COVID-19 related physical inactivity on motor skills in children with intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND: Children with intellectual disabilities (ID) may show declines in motor skills during the Covid-19 restrictions. This study compared the effects of physical inactivity due to COVID-19 on the motor skills of active and inactive children with ID. METHOD: In this prospective cohort study, 30 boys with ID were divided into two groups based on study inclusion criteria (mean age 10.86 ± 1.81 active, 10.20 ± 1.42 inactive). The BESS test, the Y test, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Bruininks-Oseretsky test-short form were used. RESULTS: Results showed a significant difference between active and inactive groups in the total score of gross motor skills (P = 0.001), fine motor skills (P = 0.002), motor skills (P = 0.001), postural control (P = 0.01), and dynamic balance (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed a significant difference between active and inactive children with ID in terms of gross and fine motor skills after a one-year movement restriction. Therefore, considering the tendency to be sedentary among these people and the subsequent complications caused by this inactivity, including obesity and chronic diseases, it is suggested that parents and educators design practical and numerous exercises and encourage them to be more active and participate in physical activity programs.

Effects of neuromuscular training on postural control of children with intellectual disability and developmental coordination disorders : Neuromuscular training and postural control.

BACKGROUND: Children with Intellectual disabilities who suffer from developmental coordination disorder represent insignificant physical fitness, strength, and balance. The prime objective of this research is to explore the impact of eight weeks of neuromuscular (combined physio-hemsball) training on postural control and balance of students with intellectual disabilities suffering from developmental coordination disorder. METHODS: The present study was a prospective randomized clinical trial with a pretest-posttest design. The statistical population consisted of boys with intellectual disabilities, suffering from developmental coordination disorder randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 15) and the control group (n = 15). informed consent was obtained from all participants' parents. Parents completed developmental coordination disorder questionnaires. Tests (Balance Error Scoring System, Y-Balance, timed Get Up & Go) were used to determine postural control, dynamic balance, and functional balance of subjects. The experimental group performed a combined physio-hemsball training for 8 weeks. Ethical considerations were observed according to the Helsinki Declaration and the CONSORT guidelines and regulations were followed to report this study. RESULTS: Results showed that combined physio-hemsball training for 8 weeks can greatly improve postural control and dynamic and postural balance among students with intellectual disabilities suffering from developmental coordination disorder. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, instructors can use this type of training to improve postural control and balance in boys with intellectual disabilities enduring developmental coordination disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This research was registered by the clinical trial centers of Iran (code IRCT20200125046254N1 , Date of registration: 24/04/2020).