Response of Children with Down Syndrome To Physical Activity Programme On Motor Proficiency And Functional Abilities

Abstract

Down syndrome occurs because of an abnormality characterized by an extra copy of genetic material on all or part of the 21st chromosome. The study was done with a purpose know the response of children with Down syndrome to physical activity programme on motor proficiency and functional abilities. 30 children (15 each in experimental and control group) having Down syndrome between the age group of 10-18 years were selected. Training programme of 55 minutes only to the experimental group was given, thrice a week for a period of 12 weeks. Bruininks Oseretsky test for motor proficiency (BOTMP), which provides an overall view of a child’s motor development, was administered. For assessing functional ability Fr. Thomas Felix’s Functional ability questionnaire (Felix, 1994) was used. Descriptive Statistics and Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were employed as statistical tool. The analysis of data revealed that the experimental group improved significantly in six of the motor proficiency skills and in all three functional ability variables by following 12 weeks of the physical activity programme. However, in rest eight motor proficiency skills, positive improvement was present; but it was not enough for statistical significance.