Evaluation of some physical and motoric characteristics of athletes with down syndrome

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate some physical and motoric characteristics of Down's syndrome athletes. The sample of the study consists of 60 athletes (n=30 experimetal group and n=30 control group) who are in the Malatya Sessiz Adimlar Sports Club, aged between 13 and 15. Athletes in the experimental group were subjected to a training program to improve the balance and flexibility of 2 hours of 3 days a week for 8 weeks. The athletes, in the control group continued their usual training programs. Before and after the 8-week training program that is applicated for the athletes in the experimental group, the balance and flexibility performances of the athletes in both the experimental and control groups were determined. It was used the flamingo balance test to determine the balance performance of the athletes; was used Sit \& Reach test to determine flexibility performance. In favor of the athletes who are in experimental group a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) obtained between pre-test and post-test results that is applicated to determine the balance performance from statistical analysis however no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) obtained between pre-test and post-test results that is applicated to determine the flexibility performance. It was also found that there was no relationship (p>0.05) between the BMI values of the athletes and their balance and flexibility performances. In the study, it was found that the training program for 8 week training to improve balance and flexibility that was applied to dealing with athleticism 13-15 age group athletes with down syndrome improved the athletes' balance performance but did not contribute to the their improvement of flexibility performances.