Effects of a 3-month recreative exercise applied to individuals with intellectual disability on their electromyogram (EMG) variations and balance performance.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine how 3-month recreative exercises affect the balance performance of individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and to evaluate the electromyogram (EMG) changes following exercises.
Methods: Eleven individuals (M=14.18, S.D=1.94) with mild intellectual disability (MID) who attend the school for children with ID and to the vocational school were included in the study. In the study, the subjects were applied a recreative exercise program (60 min/3 days/12 weeks) and their balance, EMG, and aerobic and anaerobic performances were evaluated by means of the pretest-posttest model.
Results: When the EMG values in our study were examined, differences were found in terms of EMG3-VL muscle variable (P=0.075/2=0.038), EMG3-RF muscle variable (P=0.080/2=0.040), and EMG5-RF muscle variable (P=0.066/2=0.033). The exercise program decreased the EMG values significantly. When the balance scores were evaluated, significant differences were found in terms of the variables of Balance 2 (after 30 s) (P=0.077/2=0.039) and Balance 3 (after 3 min) (P=0.084/2=0.042). The exercise program significantly decreased the balance values.
Conclusion: Consequently, it was determined that 3-month recreative exercises applied to individuals with ID lowered the EMG and Balance values during and after the exercise. In this context, it is thought that the people working with the children with MID need to consider the parameters constituting the balance in a detailed way in their exercise practices and to include activities improving their balance skills into their programs, and that recreative exercises can also provide contribution in this term. © The British Society of Developmental Disabilities 2017.