Effect of a multidimensional exercise intervention on the physical capacity of mentally retarded children

Background: This study has been performed on 28 children with mental retardation that can be given orders in a Private Handicapped Children Rehabilitation Center. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a multidimensional exercise intervention on their weight, fat mass, fat ratio, body mass without fat, talent of jumping and success in ten meters running. Methods: Before the children started exercises their physical conditions were evaluated by some measurements at the end of the 5(th) and the 10(th) week. Results of these measurements have been compared by varience analysis method at the end of each repeated measurement. Results: The results showed that exactly after the intervention, there was a continuing increase in hand-claw strength (from 8.7 +/- 8.2kgf to 11.8 +/- 8.6kgf and p<0.05) and in jumping (from 15.1 +/- 9.5cm to 11.8 +/- 8.6cm and p<0.05) in the 10 week periods. While the period of 10 meters running test had a meaningful decrease after 5th week (p<0.05). Conclusion: It has been noted that of the evaluated physical parameters such as jumping, hand-claw and ten meter running are positively effected by physical education programme.