T Kovačič1, M Kovačič2,3,4, R Ovsenik1, J Zurc5. 1. Alma Mater Europaea - European Centre Maribor, Health programs, Maribor, Slovenia. 2. Štore Steel Limited, Research and Development, Štore, Slovenia. 3. Laboratory for Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. 4. College of Industrial Engineering, Celje, Slovenia. 5. JSPS International Research Fellow, Graduate School of Education, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: One challenge a modern society faces is this: providing those vulnerable and ageing groups of adults who have intellectual disabilities with appropriate support for improving static and dynamic balance. Balance is a crucial component of physical fitness and, consequently, of fall reduction and prevention. The aim of the present randomised controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy, after 16 weeks, that three different Special Olympics physical activity programmes had on balance and on fall reduction in adults with intellectual disabilities. METHOD: A convenience sample of 150 persons with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities was recruited from the accessible Special Olympics Slovenia population of physically inactive adults with intellectual disabilities. The sample was randomised to the experimental group 1 (multicomponent balance-specific exercise programme group with additional workshops on such social gerontology topics as active and healthy ageing; N = 50), the experimental group 2 (multicomponent wellness programme group; N = 50) and a control group (regular Special Olympics athletic training; N = 50). RESULTS: Significant differences were found between groups in the balance scores throughout the study period and in the ability to decrease fall frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Balance assessment is a high predictor of frequency of falls, and among adults with intellectual disabilities, it significantly correlates with exercise. The results indicate that a multicomponent balance-specific exercise programme with a significant sociogerontological component on active ageing could be a useful intervention for intellectually disabled adults who have poor balance and who experience frequent falls.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: One challenge a modern society faces is this: providing those vulnerable and ageing groups of adults who have intellectual disabilities with appropriate support for improving static and dynamic balance. Balance is a crucial component of physical fitness and, consequently, of fall reduction and prevention. The aim of the present randomised controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy, after 16 weeks, that three different Special Olympics physical activity programmes had on balance and on fall reduction in adults with intellectual disabilities. METHOD: A convenience sample of 150 persons with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities was recruited from the accessible Special Olympics Slovenia population of physically inactive adults with intellectual disabilities. The sample was randomised to the experimental group 1 (multicomponent balance-specific exercise programme group with additional workshops on such social gerontology topics as active and healthy ageing; N = 50), the experimental group 2 (multicomponent wellness programme group; N = 50) and a control group (regular Special Olympics athletic training; N = 50). RESULTS: Significant differences were found between groups in the balance scores throughout the study period and in the ability to decrease fall frequency. CONCLUSIONS: Balance assessment is a high predictor of frequency of falls, and among adults with intellectual disabilities, it significantly correlates with exercise. The results indicate that a multicomponent balance-specific exercise programme with a significant sociogerontological component on active ageing could be a useful intervention for intellectually disabled adults who have poor balance and who experience frequent falls.
Authors: Geiziane Leite Rodrigues Melo; Ivo Vieira de Sousa Neto; Eduardo Fernandes da Fonseca; Whitley Stone; Dahan da Cunha Nascimento Journal: Front Physiol Date: 2022-09-27 Impact factor: 4.755