Overall physical fitness in young school-age children with bilateral severe hearing loss

Abstract

AbstractIntroduction: Physical fitness is expressed by the function of the motor apparatus, the capacity of organs and systems of the body, as well as motor abilities and life activity. Motor and physical development of children with hearing loss due to a damage of the hearing organ can differ from their hearing peers. The hearing organ dysfunctions can have adverse effect on motricity due to its connections with the nervous system and semicircular canals.Material and methods: The present study comprised 60 school-age children; the experimental group consisted of 30 girls and boys with hearing loss, while the control group included 30 hearing girls and boys. The children’s age varied between 9 and 11 years; the mean age was 9.75 years. In both groups of children their body mass index was calculated and their overall physical fitness was assessed using the Eurofit - European Physical Fitness Test.Results: It was found that hearing impairment was mainly connected with the worse sense of balance, lower velocity of upper limb movements and decreased level of agility, i.e. indirectly with worse motor coordination. In addition, it was proved that generally girls manifested a better sense of balance and flexibility, whereas boys showed a higher static and dynamic strength and better agility and endurance.Conclusions: The study confirmed the hypothesis that children with hearing loss have lower overall physical fitness than their hearing peers. Therefore there is a need to develop motor abilities in children with hearing loss by involving them in deliberate and systematic physical activity.