The Influence of Unicycle Training Programs on Balance Ability and Lower Extremity Muscle Strength in Junior High School Students with Intellectual Disabilities

• Main Authors: Chu Jo-Chieh, 朱若緁
• Other Authors: Lin Wei-Hsiu
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/72588422376902912006

碩士 === 國立嘉義大學 === 體育與健康休閒學系研究所 === 105 === The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of unicycle training programs on balance ability and lower extremity muscle strength in junior high school students with intellectual disabilities. Sixteen students with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities were recruited and they were randomly assigned to experimental group (n=8, 13.6±0.9yrs) and control group (n=8, 14.0±1.1yrs). Subjects in experimental group accepted thirteen-week unicycle training courses, twice a week, forty- five minutes each time, while control group didn’t receive any training. Both groups were examined with three tests：Romberg’s test, timed up and go test, and maximum muscle strength test before and after training. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS for Windows 21.0. Mann-Whitney U-test was conducted for comparing the differences between the two groups before and after training. The results showed that the dynamic balance of junior high school students with intellectual disabilities was significantly improved after thirteen-week unicycle training. The static balance and lower extremity muscle strength were also improved after training but did not reach the significant level, though average area in eye closed condition was improved by 13.65±27.35% and knee flexion strength was improved by 12.17±27.86% respectively. It is concluded that unicycle training programs led to improvements in dynamic balance ability in junior high school students with intellectual disabilities.