Effects of adapted physical activity on the motor development of children with mild intellectual disability

Abstract

Objectives This study examined the effects of twenty-four weeks of long-term adapted physical activities (APA) on the motor development of children with intellectual disability (ID). Methods Twenty-one children with mild ID were included in this study. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor Proficiency Test-Second Edition (BOT-2) long form was used to measure motor proficiency. Pre-test data were obtained at the beginning of the study. The children in the experimental group participated in the APA for twenty-four weeks. Children in the control group were excluded. After twenty-four weeks, post-test measurements were performed for both groups. another twenty-four weeks passed without APA, and a retention test was conducted in the experimental group. All data were analyzed. Results The results showed APA increased motor proficiency in the experimental group. However, the retention test scores showed a decrease in the motor proficiency of the experimental group if APA was not maintained. Conclusions Regular APA improved motor development in children with mild ID, but the skills regressed when activities were discontinued.