Assessment of dynamic balance in people with Down syndrome
Assessment of dynamic balance in people with Down syndrome

Summary/Abstract: The ability to maintain a stable position of the body in motion and in different positions influences all motor actions. A low level of dynamic balance causes problems related to motor skills both in daily activities and for learning sport-specific motor skills. This paper aims to assess dynamic balance in people with Down syndrome before and after attending a specially designed education program applied during training lessons. Balance education was also achieved through the sport of bocce, which was played by the participants in this study. The research involved 14 athletes (aged 20.29 ± 2.74 years) with Down syndrome (IQ below 75) who participated in bocce training over three months. The assessment was performed using the OptoJump device for the 30-second march-in-place test during two stages. A number of anthropometric measurements were also used, namely: height (162.29 ± 10.57 cm), weight (69.08 ± 13.96 kg), body mass index (26.22 ± 4.94 kg/m2) and foot length (23.94 ± 5.17 cm). Between the two testing sessions, people with Down syndrome took part in bocce lessons during which they performed various specific exercises to educate their dynamic balance. In addition, the lessons included means for the development of bocce-specific skills, which involved the use of balance but also other psychomotor abilities. The results obtained for the recorded parameters helped maintain gains in psychomotor abilities. We believe that the implementation of a specially designed program associated with specific movement skills contributes to maintaining or educating dynamic balance in people with Down syndrome.

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