The effect of strength training based on process approach intervention on balance of children with developmental coordination disorder

Abstract

Balance is one of the main problems of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). According to process-oriented approach, besides strength training, neuromuscular adaptations can improve balance. To evaluate the effects of strength training on improving static and dynamic balance in DCD children. Children between 7 to 9 years old in Tehran participated in the study through randomized controlled trial design. Subjects were randomly divided into two experimental (n = 15) and control (n= 15) groups. The participants exercised for 12 weeks and 24 sessions. The experimental group received strength training using flexible Thera-band elastic exercise and control group received routine exercises in physical education class. Isometric strength of hip abductor muscles and plantar flexors were measured using hand held dynamometer, and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2) was used for measurement of static and dynamic balance. Data were analyzed using independent and paired sample t-tests. Strength training significantly increased muscle strength in DCD children (P <0.001) and improved their static balance performance (P <0.05); however, these exercises had no significant effect on their dynamic balance performance (P >0.05). The strength training leads to static balance improve in DCD children. There was not an improvement in dynamic balance through the strength training in these children.