Exercise and Physical Fitness in Children With Specific Learning Disabilities

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Combined Exercise Program: Participants perform 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. This program aims to improve gross and fine motor skills, balance, coordination, and overall physical fitness in children with specific learning difficulties.

Study 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?

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Balance Performance (Flamingo Balance Test) — 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) — 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.
• Flexibility (Sit-and-Reach Test) — 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.
• Abdominal Muscle Endurance (Sit-Ups Test) — 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.
• Lower Limb Power (Standing Long Jump Test) — 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) — 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.
• Age — Baseline (Pre-intervention)
  Measurement: Years Description: Chronological age of the participant will be recorded. Time Frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention)
• Sex — 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)
• Body Mass Index (BMI) — 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)

Trial sites (1)

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