EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM ON THE PHYSICAL FITNESS OF CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES IN NCRH YAOUNDE

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an adapted physical education program on the physical fitness of children with intellectual disability. The study was designed as a pre-test-post- test experimental model. 58 intellectually disabled children, made up of 27 females and 31 males took part in a 24-week adapted program which included fitness activities like endurance, speed, strength and agility. Data was collected after each 6 weeks using some conventional tests. Inferentially, one-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Results obtained were as follows: The difference between the VO_2max of the 27 female subjects were significantly different since the probability of the F-test is less than 0.05 and equal to 20.49. Equally, the difference between the VO_2max of the 31 male subjects tested 4 times in intervals of 6 weeks from 6 weeks to 24 weeks were significantly different since the probability of the F-test is less than 0.05 and equal to 7.39. As concerns the broad jump, The difference between the broad jump of the 31 male subjects tested 4 times in intervals of 6 weeks from 6 weeks to 24 weeks were significantly different since the probability of the F-test is less than 0.05 and equal to 7.60. The performances of the 30 m dash for the male subjects were significantly different (p≤0.05) for each subject over the test period with 22.42 as F value. This was similar to that of the female participants. From the results above, it is concluded that the adapted physical education program applied on the intellectual disability children had an impact on the physical fitness of the children. We recommend the need for an adapted physical education program be put in place by the Ministry of Sports and Physical Education for the children leaving with disabilities.