The effect of strength training based on process approach intervention on balance of children with developmental coordination disorder.

INTRODUCTION: Balance is one of the main problems of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). According to process-oriented approach, besides strength training, neuromuscular adaptations can improve balance.

OBJETIVE: To evaluate the effects of strength training on improving static and dynamic balance in DCD children.

METHODS AND POPULATION: Children between 7 to 9 years old in Tehran participated in the study through randomized controlled trial design. Subjects were randomly divided into two experimental (n = 15) and control (n= 15) groups. The participants exercised for 12 weeks and 24 sessions. The experimental group received strength training using flexible Thera-band elastic exercise and control group received routine exercises in physical education class. Isometric strength of hip abductor muscles and plantar flexors were measured using hand held dynamometer, and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2) was used for measurement of static and dynamic balance. Data were analyzed using independent and paired sample t-tests.

RESULTS: Strength training significantly increased muscle strength in DCD children (P <0.001) and improved their static balance performance (P <0.05); however, these exercises had no significant effect on their dynamic balance performance (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The strength training leads to static balance improve in DCD children. There was not an improvement in dynamic balance through the strength training in these children.