The Study of Static and Dynamic Balance in Mentally Retarded Female Students with and without Down Syndrome (DS)

Down syndrome is most common genetic disorder with mild to moderate mental retardation and also a prevalence of 1 per 800-1000 births. The aim of this study was to assess static and dynamic balance in female students with and without Down syndrome and the relationship between balance with IQ and age. 30 mentally retarded students with Down syndrome (age 13.96±1.77 years, height 135.40±8.19cm, weight 42.86±9.21 kg, IQ 59.12±3.73) and 30 mentally retarded students without Down syndrome (age 14.30±1.96 years, height 136.30±8.07 cm, weight 41.46±8.67 kg, IQ 61.73±5.02) were selected randomly to participate in this study. Demographic data, height, weight and medical records of Down syndrome were collected from medical files. Modified single balance test to evaluate static balance and heel-to-toe test to evaluate dynamic balance were used. The result showed a significant difference between static and dynamic balance in two groups (p≤0.05). Also, a significant relationship was observed between dynamic and static balance with IQ and age in girls with Down syndrome (P≤0.05). People with Down syndrome have lower levels of kinetic growth in comparison with normal subjects and the mentally retarded people without Down syndrome and this fact causes weakness in their balance. Due to the weakness of balance in people with Down syndrome and also the importance of balance in daily activities and sport skills, it seems essential to design and perform physical programs to improve their balance.