EFFECT OF THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE ON THE GENDER DIFFERENCES IN TYPICAL PHYSICAL FITNESS TESTS OF YOUNG INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT.

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of therapeutic exercise intervention (TEI) on the gender differences in typical physical fitness tests of young individuals with intellectual impairment (II). Thirty-nine young individuals with II (22 boys, 17 girls; 18.9 ± 3.2 yrs) were examined before and after the implementation of a 3-month TEI. The examined fitness tests were the sit and reach test (SRT), the standing long jump (SLJ) and the Romberg balance test with open (RBTO) and closed (RBTC) eyes. Results revealed significant (p<.05) main effect of gender and intervention and their interaction for SLJ, but not (p>.05) for the other tests. In conclusion, longer TEI are required to provoke fitness adaptations in young persons with II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]