THE IMPACT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH OF LEG EXTENSOR MUSCLES IN YOUTH WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

Abstract

Children with developmental disabilities often spend most of their day engaged in activities that require little or no physical effort, which negatively affects their development. The introduction of structured and adapted forms of physical activity can significantly improve their motor and overall physical status. The aim of this paper is to assess the effects of regular participation in physical education classes by analyzing the explosive strength of the lower-limb extensors in youth with developmental disabilities. The sample consisted of 30 participants of both sexes, aged 15, with mild intellectual disabilities. In addition to standard physical education classes, participants in the experimental group underwent an additional three-month training protocol. The results obtained through the paired samples t-test showed a statistically significant difference after the applied experimental treatment in the variables: Body mass (p = .000), Thigh circumference (p = .000), and Calf circumference (p = .000), where a reduction in average values was recorded. A significant difference was also found in the variables Standing long jump (p = .000) and Vertical jump (p = .000), where the average values increased. The repeated-measures ANOVA results indicate that the experimental treatment showed a significant positive effect on the following variables: Body mass (p = .000), Thigh circumference (p = .000), Calf circumference (p = .003), Standing long jump (p = .000), and Vertical jump (p = .000). The introduction of structured and adapted forms of physical activity can significantly improve the motor and overall physical status of children with developmental disabilities.