The Effect of Combined Exercise Training on Physical Fitness Parameters in Children With Specific Learning Disabilities
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Not yet recruiting
- Sponsor
- Enrollment
- 18
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Balance Performance (Flamingo Balance Test)
Study Overview
Brief Summary
Specific learning disabilities (SLD) are characterized by difficulties in reading, comprehension, arithmetic, and written expression, often accompanied by impairments in motor skills, balance, and coordination. However, physical difficulties in children with SLD are often overlooked in educational settings, and parental awareness of these issues remains limited.
This study aims to examine the effect of an 8-week combined exercise program-including balance, strength, and stretching exercises-on the physical fitness of children aged 7-14 years with SLD. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an exercise group or a control group.
The exercise intervention will be conducted three times per week for 45 minutes per session over eight weeks. Physical fitness will be evaluated through standardized field-based measures of balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance before and after the intervention. Data will be analyzed using SPSS 26.0, employing Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney U, independent t-test, and paired t-test as appropriate.
The study is expected to emphasize the importance of physical activity for children with SLD and promote the inclusion of physiotherapy-based exercise programs in individualized support plans.
Primary Outcome Question: Does an 8-week combined exercise program improve balance, strength, flexibility, and endurance-key components of physical fitness-in children with specific learning disabilities compared to a control group?
Detailed Description
The term "Learning Disability" refers to difficulties in achieving expected academic performance in specific areas despite normal intelligence. In Turkey, learning disabilities encompass difficulties in one or more cognitive processes necessary for understanding and using language, either written or spoken. These difficulties may manifest in listening, speaking, reading, writing, spelling, attention, or mathematical operations.
Children with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) often experience not only academic difficulties but also deficits in motor skills, balance, and coordination. Physical fitness, defined as the ability to perform daily activities efficiently and safely, depends on multiple parameters including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility. Regular exercise can improve these parameters, supporting children's physical, social, and cognitive development.
Despite the importance of physical fitness, studies on exercise interventions in SLD children are limited and mostly focus on balance. There is a lack of research investigating comprehensive combined exercise programs addressing multiple fitness components simultaneously.
The aim of this study is to examine the effects of a combined exercise program on physical fitness parameters in children with SLD aged 7-14 years. The primary objectives are:
To improve flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Non Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel
- Primary Purpose
- Other
- Masking
- None
Masking Description
No masking is applied in this study; participants, caregivers, and investigators are aware of group assignments.
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 7 Years to 14 Years (Child)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- •Exercise Group: Children aged 7-14 years diagnosed with Specific Learning Difficulty (SLD), with signed parental consent and child assent form
- •Control Group: Children aged 7-14 years without SLD (healthy), with signed parental consent and child assent form
Exclusion Criteria
- •Children with physical disabilities preventing participation
- •Children unable to cooperate with the assessments
Arms & Interventions
Exercise Group
Participants receive a combined exercise program for 8 weeks, 3 days per week, 45 minutes per session. Physical fitness parameters-including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility-are assessed before and after the intervention.
Intervention: Combined Exercise Program (Behavioral)
Control Group
Participants do not receive any intervention. Physical fitness parameters-including flexibility, muscular strength, muscular endurance, balance, coordination, speed, and agility-are assessed at the same time points as the exercise group.
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Balance Performance (Flamingo Balance Test)
Time Frame: Pre- and post-intervention (8 weeks)
Description: Static balance will be assessed using the Flamingo Balance Test from the Eurofit Test Battery. Participants will stand on one leg on a narrow beam, and the number of falls within 1 minute will be recorded. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Unit of Measure: Number of falls (count) Interpretation: Lower scores indicate better balance.
Coordination Speed (Plate Tapping Test)
Time Frame: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Description: Coordination and movement speed will be assessed using the Plate Tapping Test from the Eurofit Test Battery. The time required to complete 25 cycles of alternating taps will be recorded. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Unit of Measure: Seconds Interpretation: Lower scores indicate better performance.
Abdominal Muscle Endurance (Sit-Ups Test)
Time Frame: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Description: Abdominal muscle endurance will be assessed using the Sit-Ups Test, recording the number of repetitions completed in 30 seconds. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Unit of Measure: Number of sit-ups (count) Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better endurance.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Measurement: kg/m² Description: BMI will be calculated using measured body weight and height (BMI = weight \[kg\] / height² \[m²\]). It will be used as a descriptive and covariate variable in analysis. Interpretation: Higher or lower BMI values will be examined in relation to physical fitness outcomes. Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Flexibility (Sit-and-Reach Test)
Time Frame: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Description: Flexibility will be measured using the Sit and Reach Test, which assesses hamstring and lower back flexibility. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Unit of Measure: Centimeters Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater flexibility.
Age
Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Measurement: Years Description: Chronological age of the participant will be recorded. Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Sex
Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Measurement: Male / Female (categorical variable) Description: Biological sex will be recorded to explore potential differences in physical fitness outcomes. Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
Lower Limb Power (Standing Long Jump Test)
Time Frame: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Description: Explosive leg power will be evaluated using the Standing Long Jump Test. The best distance achieved in three trials will be recorded. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Unit of Measure: Centimeters Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better performance.
Cardiorespiratory Endurance (20 m Shuttle Run Test)
Time Frame: Before and after intervention (8 weeks)
Description: Aerobic endurance will be assessed using the 20-meter Shuttle Run Test (Eurofit). The number of completed stages will be recorded. Time Frame: Baseline and 8 weeks Unit of Measure: Number of completed stages Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better endurance.
Secondary Outcomes
No secondary outcomes reported
Investigators
Meryem Sevim
PT, PhD, Lecturer, Department of Physiotherapy
Bartın Unıversity