The Effect of A 12-Week Functional Exercise Program on Motor Performance Components in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

Year 2025, Volume: 16 Issue: 2, 331 - 345, 20.08.2025

Tolga Altuğ , Mehmet Söyler , Semih Ubeyli

https://doi.org/10.17155/omuspd.1706202

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week functional exercise intervention on key motor performance components in adolescents with intellectual disabilities. Twenty male participants aged 12 to 17 were randomly assigned to either an experimental (n=10) or control group (n=10). The experimental group engaged in a structured program three times per week, incorporating exercises designed to enhance postural balance, reaction time, agility, and sprint performance. Motor outcomes were evaluated pre- and post-intervention using single-leg stance tests, a digital reaction time device, a directional reach test (disk touch), and a 25-yard sprint. Statistical analyses included mixed-design ANOVA and paired samples t-tests. The results revealed statistically significant improvements in postural balance and reaction time within the experimental group (p<0.05). Additionally, agility showed a significant increase, while sprint performance demonstrated a positive trend nearing statistical significance (p≈0.056). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that multi-component functional exercise protocols can significantly contribute to motor performance development in individuals with intellectual disabilities by supporting both neuromuscular and sensorimotor functions within a short period. The findings provide a scientific basis for the implementation of structured physical activity interventions within the field of special education.

Keywords

Exercise intervention, intellectual disability, motor performance, postural balance, reaction time

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval for the research was obtained from the Health Sciences Ethics Committee of Çankırı University on June 25, 2024, with decision number 14.

Zihinsel Yetersizliği Olan Bireylerde 12 Haftalık Fonksiyonel Egzersiz Programının Motor Performans Bileşenleri Üzerindeki Etkisi

Abstract

Bu çalışma, zihinsel yetersizliği olan bireylerde uygulanan 12 haftalık fonksiyonel egzersiz programının temel motor performans bileşenleri üzerindeki etkilerini incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma, ön test–son test kontrol gruplu deneysel desenle gerçekleştirilmiş ve 12–17 yaş aralığındaki 20 erkek katılımcı çalışma (n=10) ve kontrol (n=10) gruplarına ayrılmıştır. Çalışma grubuna haftada üç gün uygulanan yapılandırılmış egzersiz programı; denge, reaksiyon süresi, el-göz koordinasyonu ve sprint performansını hedefleyen istasyon temelli uygulamalardan oluşmuştur. Veri toplama araçları olarak tek ayak postüral denge testi, görsel uyarana dayalı reaksiyon süresi testi, disk dokunma testi ve 25 yard sprint testi kullanılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler, karma desenli ANOVA ve eşleştirilmiş t-testi ile analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular, çalışma grubunda denge ve reaksiyon süresi başta olmak üzere motor becerilerde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı gelişmeler sağlandığını ortaya koymuştur (p<0.05). Disk dokunma testinde sürelerin kısaldığı, sprint performansında ise anlamlılık sınırına yakın pozitif bir gelişim eğilimi gözlenmiştir (p≈0.056). Sonuç olarak, çok bileşenli fonksiyonel egzersiz protokollerinin kısa süre içerisinde hem nöromüsküler hem de sensörimotor becerileri destekleyerek zihinsel yetersizliği olan bireylerde motor performansın gelişimine katkı sağlayabileceği görülmüştür. Elde edilen bulgular, özel eğitim alanında yapılandırılmış fiziksel aktivite müdahaleleri için bilimsel bir dayanak sunmaktadır.

Keywords

Zihinsel yetersizlik, motor performans, postüral denge, reaksiyon süresi, egzersiz müdahalesi

Ethical Statement

Araştırma için Çankırı Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Etik Kurulu’ndan 25.06.2024 tarihli ve 14 karar sayısı ile etik kurul izni alınmıştır.

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