scholarly journals Improving Physical Fitness of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities through an Adapted Rhythmic Gymnastics Program in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Chenchen Xu ◽  
Mingyan Yao ◽  
Mengxue Kang ◽  
Guanting Duan

Background. Health-related physical fitness is vital for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to gain healthier lives. The adapted rhythmic gymnastics (ARG) program was designed for children with IDD and is aimed at testing the effects of the exercise program on children’s physical fitness. Methods. Participants were recruited from two special needs schools in Beijing of China. Twenty-two children with IDD were assigned to an ARG experimental group or a traditional control group. The experimental group took part in a 16-week ARG program consisting of three 50 min sessions each week. And children’s body composition, aerobic capacity, and musculoskeletal functioning were measured by the Brockport Physical Fitness Test (BPFT) before and after the program. Results. The between-group analysis revealed great improvements for the experimental group in abdominal strength (curl-up test: p=0.025<0.05) and upper limb strength (dumbbell press test: p=0.038<0.05). Compared to the pretest, most of the physical fitness parameters improved significantly in the experimental group except BMI, and flexibility of the experimental group children showed a substantial increase. Conclusions. Most of the physical fitness parameters of children with IDD in the experimental group improved significantly, especially on abdominal strength and upper limb muscle strength when comparing to the control group.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Ferrari ◽  
◽  
Leandro de Oliveira Carpes ◽  
Lucas Betti Domingues ◽  
Alexandre Jacobsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Different physical activities are widely recommended as non-pharmacological therapies to reduce blood pressure. However, the effectiveness of exercise programs is associated with its continuity and regularity, and the long-term adherence to traditional exercise interventions is often low. Recreational sports emerge as an alternative, being more captivating and able to retain individuals for longer periods. Besides, sport interventions have demonstrated improvements in physical fitness components that are associated with a lower incidence of hypertension. However, no studies have investigated the effects of recreational sports on 24 h ambulatory blood pressure. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of beach tennis training on ambulatory blood pressure and physical fitness in individuals with hypertension. Methods This study will be a randomized, single-blinded, two-arm, parallel, and superiority trial. Forty-two participants aged 35–65 years with previous diagnosis of hypertension will be randomized to 12 weeks of beach tennis training group (two sessions per week lasting 45–60 min) or a non-exercising control group. Ambulatory (primary outcome) and office blood pressures, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength/power and quality of life will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention period. Discussion Our conceptual hypothesis is that beach tennis training will reduce ambulatory blood pressure and improve fitness parameters in middle-aged individuals with hypertension. The results of this trial are expected to provide evidences of efficacy of recreational beach tennis practice on blood pressure management and to support sport recommendations for clinical scenario in higher risk populations. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03909321. Registered on April 10, 2019.


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 820
Author(s):  
Ju-Yong Bae ◽  
Hee-Tae Roh

We aimed to investigate the effect of Taekwondo training on physical fitness, mood, sociality, and cognitive function among international students in South Korea. We randomly assigned 24 international students to a control group (CG, n = 12) and experimental group (EG, n = 12). The EG performed Taekwondo training for 16 weeks, while the CG did not train. Each participant underwent a physical fitness test and sociability questionnaire before and after the intervention. We also examined changes in mood state and cognitive function, using the Korean version of the Profile of Mood State-Brief (K-POMS-B), and the Stroop Color and Word test, respectively. Regarding the physical fitness variables, sit-and-reach records in the EG significantly increased after intervention (p < 0.05). In the sub-variable of K-POMS-B, Vigor-Activity scores significantly increased (p < 0.05) after intervention, while the Fatigue-Inertia scores significantly decreased in the EG (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in the EG, peer relationship scores, a sub-variable of sociability, significantly decreased after intervention (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that Taekwondo training can not only improve flexibility among physical fitness factors, but can also be effective in improving the mood state and sociality of international students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 3445-3451
Author(s):  
Chen Yake

Objectives: In this paper, the effects of tobacco on aerobic exercise ability and physical fitness recovery of college students were studied. Methods: University group sports intervention form: traditional characteristic project (basketball) + Taiji soft ball (R&D intervention project). Exercise time: 3 times/week; Activity duration: 30min; Activity intensity: the heart rate is controlled at 120-140 beats/min. All the college students in the experimental group are students who have never smoked, and the college students in the control group are students who have smoked for more than two years. The other conditions are the same. Results: The exercise time and endurance of experimental groups I and II were significantly lower than those of the control group, and the cardiopulmonary function was significantly lower than that of the control group. The indexes of experimental group II changed significantly compared with experimental group I, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Cigarette smoke can significantly reduce the aerobic exercise ability and anti fatigue ability. The longer the smoking time, the more serious the adverse effects. Therefore, tobacco smoke and nicotine will damage college students’ aerobic exercise ability and have a negative impact on the recovery of physical fitness after exercise.


Author(s):  
Dean Novianti ◽  
I Made Sriundy Mahardika ◽  
Abdul Rachman Tuasikal

Physical education program for sport and health allocates four lesson hour of which each hour consists of 35 minutes in one week. It requires an innovative and efficient learning model in order to improve physical fitness, honesty, discipline, and cooperation. The researcher developes a circuit training learning model in the from circuit games which is a modified form of circuit training. The study aim to examine the effectiveness of the circuit training learning model in improving physical fitness, honesty, discipline, and cooperation in students of Elementary School Sidoarjo. The type of research used is quantitative and qualitative by using research and development method, and data analysis using ANOVA. The data collection process is carried out by pre-test and post-test and then the results of the research data are analyzed using SPSS series 2.0. The results of the study shows (1) the sig value of 0,011 smaller than the 0,05 ( p< 0,05 ), meaning that there is the difference in the results of the TKJ I test on groups of students who are not treated compared to the group of students who are given the learning model. (2) the average group of students who are not given the treatment (control group) is 12,50 while for the group of students         given treatment (experimental group) is 15,15, meaning that there is an increase in test results againts the experimental group at 45%, (4) there is an increase in the observations of the discipline attitude from the control group compared to the experimental group at 35 %, (5) there is an increase in the observations of the discipline attitudes of the control group compared to the experimental group at 55%. Based on the above analysis it can be cocluded that the circuit training learning model can improve physical fitness and cultivate honesty, discipline and cooperattion in students of Elementary School.  


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-29
Author(s):  
Een Juliasti ◽  
Mury Kuswari ◽  
Idrus Jus’at

Physical activity on students in Jakarta is the lowest if it is compared to various regions in Indonesia. The low physical activity has an impact on the declining of health and fitness so that it affects toward the risk of various non-communicable diseases. The purpose of this research is to know the influence of gymnastics rhythm of Gizi Seimbang’s song to the level of fitness on students in State Elementary School Kebon Jeruk 08 Pagi West Jakarta. The type of research uses design experimental quasi research with design of Pre test - post test group control design. This design involves two groups of subjects, one is given an experimental group and one group is not enforced (control group). The population of this study are children aged 10-12 years old with 60 respondents (30 students of gymnastic group and 30 control group students) with gymnastics 3x/week for 12 times. Data analysis use t-dependent test, wilcoxon test because the data is not normally distributed. The result of the research shows that there is the influence of rhythmic gymnastics of Gizi Seimbang’s song to the significant fitness level (p value = 0.0001). Based on the results of this study, gymnastics rhythm of Gizi Seimbang’s song increases the level of fitness compared with control group on students in State Elementary School Kebon Jeruk 08 Pagi West Jakarta.


Retos ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 8-15
Author(s):  
Santiago Guijarro-Romero ◽  
Daniel Mayorga-Vega ◽  
Carolina Casado-Robles ◽  
Jesús Viciana

El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar el efecto de una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico en Educación Física sobre los niveles de actividad física y capacidad cardiorrespiratoria entre estudiantes con un perfil saludable/no saludable de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Ochenta estudiantes de 2º-3º curso de Educación Secundaria fueron asignados aleatoriamente al grupo control y grupo experimental. El grupo experimental, dividido en perfiles saludable/no saludable, realizó una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico para mejorar la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. El grupo control trabajó un contenido diferente durante el mismo tiempo y con la misma frecuencia, pero sin hacer hincapié en la mejora de la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria. Antes y después de la intervención, la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria se evaluó objetivamente mediante el test de ida y vuelta de 20 metros. Los niveles de actividad física fueron medidos objetivamente a través de un pulsómetro durante las clases de Educación Física. Ambos perfiles tuvieron mayores niveles de actividad física durante las clases de Educación Física que el grupo control (p < .001). Sin embargo, solo los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable mejoraron significativamente sus niveles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria tras la unidad didáctica (p < .01). Aunque una unidad didáctica intermitente de acondicionamiento físico parece tener un efecto similar en los niveles de actividad física de todos los perfiles de capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes, solo mejora la capacidad cardiorrespiratoria de los estudiantes con un perfil no saludable. Abstract. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effect of a Physical Education-based physical fitness intermittent teaching unit on physical activity levels and cardiorespiratory fitness among students with healthy/unhealthy cardiorespiratory fitness profile. Eighty students from 2º-3º grades of Secondary Education were randomly assigned to the control group and experimental group. The experimental group, divided into healthy/unhealthy profiles, performed a physical fitness intermittent teaching unit to improve the cardiorespiratory fitness. The control group worked a different content during the same time and with the same frequency, but without emphasizing cardiorespiratory fitness improvement. Before and after the teaching unit, students’ cardiorespiratory fitness was objectively measured by the 20-meter shuttle run test. Participants’ physical activity levels were measured objectively using a heart rate monitor during Physical Education lessons. Students from both profiles had higher physical activity levels during Physical Education lessons than the control group (p < .001). However, only students with an unhealthy cardiorespiratory fitness profile statistically improved their cardiorespiratory fitness levels after the teaching unit (p < .01). Although an intermittent physical fitness teaching unit seems to have similar effect on physical activity levels of students from all cardiorespiratory fitness profiles, it only improves the cardiorespiratory fitness of those with an unhealthy one.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 556-562
Author(s):  
Natasha A. Lannin ◽  
Louise Ada ◽  
Coralie English ◽  
Julie Ratcliffe ◽  
Steven G. Faux ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose— The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of additional upper limb rehabilitation following botulinum toxin-A for upper limb activity in chronic stroke. Methods— We conducted a multicenter phase III randomized trial with concealed allocation, blinded measurement, and intention-to-treat analysis. One hundred forty stroke survivors who were scheduled to receive botulinum toxin-A in any muscle(s) that cross the wrist because of moderate to severe spasticity after a stroke >3 months ago, who had completed formal rehabilitation and had no significant cognitive impairment. Experimental group received botulinum toxin-A plus evidence-based movement training while the control group received botulinum toxin-A plus a handout of exercises. Primary outcomes were goal attainment (Goal Attainment Scaling) and upper limb activity (Box and Block Test) at 3 months (end of intervention). Secondary outcomes were spasticity, range of motion, strength, pain, burden of care, and health-related quality of life. Results— In terms of goal attainment, the experimental group scored the same (mean difference, 2 T-score [95% CI, −2 to 7]) as the control group on the Goal Attainment Scale. In terms of upper limb activity, by 3 months the experimental group moved blocks at the same speed (mean difference, 0.00 blocks/s [95% CI, −0.02 to 0.01]) as the control group on the Box and Block Test. There were no differences between groups on any secondary outcome except strength, in favor of the experimental group (mean difference, 1.4 kg [95% CI, 0.2–2.7]). Conclusions— Findings suggest that additional intensive upper limb rehabilitation following botulinum toxin-A in chronic stroke survivors with a disabled upper limb is not effective. Registration— URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov . Unique identifier: ACTRN12615000616572.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-341
Author(s):  
Marco Tramontano ◽  
Giovanni Morone ◽  
Sara De Angelis ◽  
Laura Casagrande Conti ◽  
Giovanni Galeoto ◽  
...  

Background: Sensor-based technological therapy devices may be good candidates for neuromotor rehabilitation of people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), especially for treating upper extremities function limitations. The sensor-based device rehabilitation is characterized by interactive therapy games with audio-visual feedback that allows training the movement of shoulders, elbows, and wrist, measuring the strength and the active range of motion of upper limb, registering data in an electronic database to quantitatively monitoring measures and therapy progress. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of sensor-based motor rehabilitation in add-on to the conventional neurorehabilitation, on increasing the upper limb functions of patients with MS. Methods: Thirty patients were enrolled in the study and randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. The training consisting of twelve sessions of upper limb training was compared with twelve sessions of upper limb sensory-motor training, without robotic support. Both rehabilitation programs were performed for 40 minutes three times a week, for 4 weeks, in addition to conventional therapy. All patients were evaluated at the baseline (T0) and after 4 weeks of training (T1). Results: The within-subject analysis showed a statistically significant improvement in both groups, in the Modified Barthel Index and in the Rivermead Mobility Index scores and a significant improvement in Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 in the experimental. The analysis of effectiveness revealed that, compared with baseline (T0), the improvement percentage in all clinical scale scores was greater in the experimental group than the control group. Conclusions: Proposed training provides an intensive and functional-oriented rehabilitation that objectively evaluates achieved progress through exercises. Therefore, it can represent a good complementary strategy for hand rehabilitation in MS patients.


Author(s):  
Pilar Fernández-González ◽  
María Carratalá-Tejada ◽  
Esther Monge-Pereira ◽  
Susana Collado-Vázquez ◽  
Patricia Sánchez-Herrera Baeza ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Non-immersive video games are currently being used as technological rehabilitation tools for individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The aim of this feasibility study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Leap Motion Controller® (LMC) system used with serious games designed for the upper limb (UL), as well as the levels of satisfaction and compliance among patients in mild-to-moderate stages of the disease. Methods A non-probabilistic sampling of non-consecutive cases was performed. 23 PD patients, in stages II-IV of the Hoehn & Yahr scale, were randomized into two groups: an experimental group (n = 12) who received treatment based on serious games designed by the research team using the LMC system for the UL, and a control group (n = 11) who received a specific intervention for the UL. Grip muscle strength, coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross UL dexterity, as well as satisfaction and compliance, were assessed in both groups pre-treatment and post-treatment. Results Within the experimental group, significant improvements were observed in all post-treatment assessments, except for Box and Blocks test for the less affected side. Clinical improvements were observed for all assessments in the control group. Statistical intergroup analysis showed significant improvements in coordination, speed of movements and fine motor dexterity scores on the more affected side of patients in the experimental group. Conclusions The LMC system and the serious games designed may be a feasible rehabilitation tool for the improvement of coordination, speed of movements and fine UL dexterity in PD patients. Further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.


1994 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Cohen ◽  
Peter S. Creticos ◽  
Philip S. Norman

This study investigated the effects of guided imagery (GI) on allergic subjects' responses to ragweed-pollen nasal challenge. Complete data was obtained for fourteen subjects ranging from twenty-one to sixty-two years of age. Nasal challenges were performed before and after GI. Dependent variables consisted of two biochemical mediators obtained from nasal secretions and two subject-reported measures of symptoms, respectively: TAME (tosylarginine methyl ester)-esterase; histamine; severity of symptoms (e.g., nasal congestion); and numbers of sneezes. An experimental group ( n = 7) participated in a three-week program of GI designed to promote relaxation, psychosynthesis, and modulation of immunological activity at the cellular level. A posttreatment, between-groups analysis of the experimental group and a no-contact control group ( n = 7) determined that treatment significantly suppressed TAME-esterase release ( p < .03). Thereafter, the control group participated in the treatment program, and a posttreatment, within-group analysis also indicated significantly suppressed TAME-esterase release ( p < .05). A two-week, follow-up nasal challenge administered to the experimental group indicated maintenance of suppressed TAME-esterase release ( p < .03) and reduced severity of symptoms ( p < .05).


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