Table Tennis Contribution to Optimizing Health and Quality of Life in Youth with Intellectual Development Disabilities

Abstract

In this study, our purpose was to emphasize the potential role of adapted motion activities in the motion-related development of children with intellectual developmental disorders, in particular, the role of table tennis in increasing the ability to move these children and the role of such activities in their socialization. We have included in our study 9 children with minor intellectual disabilities, aged between 10 and 14. The specific methods used were grouped into voluntary relaxation exercises (autogenic training), dynamic balance exercises, exercises of coordination and ability, and orientation games focusing on the development of the neuromuscular and mental reflexes specific to correct attitudes. Meetings were held twice a week, including a warming-up program, work program, physical therapy program, and table tennis training program. The table tennis training program included, besides general warming-up exercises, other procedures specific to table tennis. Thus, daily for 30 minutes, after the end of the physical therapy program, we repeated the evaluation exercises. Also, other methods have been tried with those who had more developed motion ability, such as hitting balls to the wall, and diagonally service. Results and conclusions. Young people with disabilities participation in physical education and adapted sports activities pursue major objectives such as the development of psycho-motility components, skill acquisition and training of motion skills, exercise the capacity of making physical effort, etc. Table tennis is a sport growing in the interest of youngsters, but requires special equipment difficult to adapt, and professionalism on behalf of the multidisciplinary team involved.