2020, Volume 16
Effectiveness of an intervention program on basic physical and coordination skills and its relationship with BMI in individuals with intellectual disability
Irwin Ramirez Granizo1, Jose Luis Ubago-Jiménez1, Felix Zurita-Ortega1, Pilar Puertas-Molero1, Ignacio Vilchez-Polo2
1Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression. Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
2SLOC SPORT, Granada, Spain
Author for correspondence: Jose Luis Ubago-Jiménez; Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression. Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain; email: jlubago@ugr.es
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Abstract
Background and Study Aim: The high levels of physical inactivity and sedentarism caused by the low mobility offered to people with intellectual disabilities are one of the main causes of the high levels of obesity observed in this group in today's society. The present study aims was knowledge about the effect of a 6-month intervention programme based on the application of SLOC (System of Oriental Struggles in Competition) as an innovative sport on indicators of health, BMI, coordination, balance, flexibility and strength.
Material and Methods: The application of SLOC (System of Oriental Struggles in Competition) as an innovative sport on indicators of health, BMI, coordination, balance, flexibility and strength. A longitudinal study was carried out with a pre-experimental design with pre-post measurements in a single group (n = 47), using as main instruments a TBF300 bioimpedance scale and Eurofit battery tests.
Results: The main results were a noticeable improvement in body mass index, strength level and flexibility which represents a small effect size in these cases. Balance and coordination also improved, representing a medium size effect for these variables.
Conclusions: Despite the limitations of this study, as it does not have a control group, the main conclusions are that SLOC together with a recreational-active methodology can be a motivational resource to adhere to healthy lifestyles and that also people with intellectual disabilities can have means for a significant improvement in their quality of life, helping to improve health status indicators in this group.
Key words: strength, martial arts, Eurofit, balance, SLOC, physical activity