Effect of a Combined Strengthening and Proprioceptive Training Program on Balance and Gait of Female Children With Intellectual Disability

Objective This study aims to assess the effect of combined strengthening and proprioceptive exercises on balance and gait of female children with intellectual disability Methods: Participants were 24 elementary school girls aged 9-13 years in Mashhad, Iran who were selected using a convenience sampling method and divided to two groups of exercise and control. The exercise group performed selective exercises for 8 weeks, while the control group performed their daily activities. In the pre-test stage, the static balance, dynamic balance, lower limb strength, and gait were measured. After eight weeks, all variables were measured again. Results: Eight weeks of strengthening and proprioceptive exercises had a significant effect on improvement of static balance, dynamic balance, lower limb strength, and gait of girls with intellectual disability (P=0.001). Conclusion: Eight weeks of strengthening and proprioceptive exercises can be used to improve the physical fitness factors of girls with intellectual disability.