The effects of a balance exercise program for enhancement of gait function on temporal and spatial gait parameters in young people with intellectual disabilities.
[Purpose] The aim of the study was to assess the effect of an 8-week balance exercise program for enhancement of gait function on temporal and spatial parameters of school aged children with intellectual disabilities. [Subjects] Forty young people with intellectual disabilities were assigned either to the balance exercise program for enhancement of gait function group (BG group, n=19) or the control group (n=21). [Methods] The BG group attended an 8-week balance exercise program for enhancement of gait function consisting of two sessions a week. Gait was assessed using temporal and spatial parameters. [Results] The balance exercise program resulted in significant improvements in participant performance in temporal and spatial parameters. [Conclusion] A balance exercise program for enhancement of gait function can be an effective intervention for improving functional outcomes and can be recommended as an alternative mode of physical activity programming for improving balance and gait.
Department of Physical Therapy, Sahmyook University, Republic of Korea.
Kyoung Jin
KJ
Lee
Department of Physical Therapy, Sahmyook University, Republic of Korea.
Myung Mo
MM
Lee
Department of Physical Therapy, Sahmyook University, Republic of Korea.
Doo Chul
DC
Shin
Department of Physical Therapy, Sahmyook University, Republic of Korea.
Seung Ho
SH
Shin
Department of Physical Therapy, Sahmyook University, Republic of Korea.
Chang Ho
CH
Song
Balance exercise; Gait; Intellectual disability