The Effectiveness of Aerobic Group Exercise-based Interventions Based on The Sensory Integration Theory on the Gross and Fine Motor Skills of Children with Down Syndrome

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness group aerobic exercise interventions' based on the sensory integration theory on the gross and fine motor skills of children with Down syndrome.

The present study was conducted with a semi-experimental research design with pre-test and post-test with a control group. The study sample consisted of 30 children with Down syndrome in the age range of 8 - 10 years, who were selected by purposive sampling method and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Purdue Pegboard test and Lincoln Avzrvtsky motor development test were used for evaluation and measurement. After the pre-test, the children in the experimental group underwent aerobic exercise-based interventions for 6 weeks and two sessions per week (12 sessions). Thus they were trained in the desired playful activities and practiced with the help of the therapist and parents.

Both groups were measured by post-test, and the results were analyzed by univariate analysis of covariance. (ANCOA) the Results showed significant improvement in both fine (p<0/01، F=12/98) and gross (p<0/01، F=21/71) motor skills as well as the combination of these two skills (p<0/01، F=20/9) in the experimental group.

it can be stated that the application of group aerobic exercises based on sensory integration will have a significant positive effect on improving the fine and gross motor skills of children with Down syndrome.