EFFECTIVENESS OF NORDIC WALKING AND PHYSICAL TRAINING IN IMPROVING BALANCE AND BODY COMPOSITION OF PERSONS WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Nordic Walking training and physical training on the balance and body composition in adult people with Down syndrome. Basic procedures We enrolled 32 subjects with Down syndrome, aged 25-40 years with moderate intellectual disability. They were randomly divided into three groups: Nordic Walking training group, physical training group and control group with no intervention. Training sessions were held for 10 weeks at a frequency of 3 times a week. Subjects were examined twice: 1 week before training and a week immediately after intervention. To evaluate balance we applied modified Clinical Test for Sensory Integration and Balance (mCTSIB) on BioSway platform. Evaluation of body composition was assessed with Tanita Body Composition Analyzer TBF – 300. Results After training, in the mCTSIB statistically significant changes were observed only in the Nordic Walking group. In the control group in the mCTSIB the changes were not reported. There were observed improvements in the body composition after Nordic Walking training and in the control group there were deteriorated. Conclusions The research shows that regular physical activity such as Nordic Walking training has positive influence on the balance in people with Down syndrome. The changes were greater in people participated in Nordic Walking training rather than physical training. Both of the study groups presented improvement compared to controls. Key words: Down syndrome, Nordic Walking, disability, balance, stability, BMI, mCTSIB, body composition, rehabilitation