Abstract
Intellectual
disabilities a serious problem in the entire world and its prevalence is high
in school-age children. These difficulties can influence cognitive, social and
emotional areas of functioning and have led their families to suffer in economic
and social disadvantages than those without disabilities. The main objective of
this study was to investigate the effect of sixteen-week resistance exercise on
cognition developments of school children with intellectual disabilities in
Desse & Kombolcha, Amhara region, Ethiopia. In this Pre-test and post-test study design, eighteen adolescents
with intellectual disabilities participated in the study. A paired t-test was fitted to analyze the pre-test and
post-test data of the study participants.
In order to measure cognitive variables digit span backward,
digit span forward, vocabulary and similarity test batteries were used to
measure working memory, short term memory, vocabulary knowledge and comparative
reasoning respectively before and after sixteen-week of the training
intervention. After sixteen-week of intervention, a
significant mean score change was
observed in working memory, short
term memory, vocabulary knowledge, and comparative reasoning respectively (p < 0.05) after training when compared before training. We concluded that resistance exercise can improve the
cognitive skills of adolescents with intellectual disabilities.
Thanks
The authors would like to acknowledge students and their parents, trainer coaches who helped us in this study are greatly appreciated.