Effect of physical fitness training on physical fitness parameters in mentally retarded children

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine an appropriate training program for mentally retarded children and to investigate the effects of such a training program on physical fitness parameters. Fifty children with mild to moderate mental retardation were included in this study. Material and methods: Subjects were divided equally into two groups. The mean age of the experimental group was 14.52±1.50 years, and that of the control group was 14.80±1.29 years. The experimental group underwent a physical fitness program for 12 weeks. The control group did not receive a training program. Cardiovascular endurance, speed, agility, elbow and knee flexion-extension muscular strength, hand static strength, balance, and body composition were evaluated. The measurements were repeated after 12 weeks. Results: It was found that physical fitness training significantly increased a cardiovascular endurance, speed, agility, elbow and knee flexion-extension muscular strength, hand static strength, and balance in the experimental group (p<0.05). No significant difference was found in the body composition parameters (p>0.05). There was no significant difference in measured parameters for the control group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The physical fitness training program applied in this study had positive effects on physical fitness parameters which play an important role in the independence of mentally retarded children.