Effects of 8 weeks of posture exercises applied to mild intellectually disabled individuals on static and dynamic balance

This study was conducted to examine the effects of 8-week posture exercises on static and dynamic balance in individuals with mild intellectual disabilities. The research was carried out with 16 students (8 in the intervention group, 8 in the control group) from Gümüşhane Special Education Vocational School. While the intervention group performed exercises based on the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' spine conditioning program, no intervention was applied to the control group. Static balance measurements were assessed using the Desmotec E. Board, and dynamic balance measurements were evaluated with the Togu balance board. The results showed that posture exercises significantly improved dynamic balance (p=0.001), but only a borderline significant reduction was observed in mean instability among static balance parameters (p=0.051). Other parameters, such as mean power (p=0.599) and maximum power (p=0.958), did not show statistically significant changes. Correlation analyses revealed a moderate positive relationship between dynamic balance and mean instability (ρ=0.532), as well as a negative impact of increased body mass index (BMI) on balance performance. In the intervention group, it was found that the exercises improved synchronization between balance and strength parameters. These findings indicate that posture exercises are particularly effective in enhancing dynamic balance but have limited effects on static balance and strength parameters. The study supports that balance training can improve the quality of life in individuals with intellectual disabilities while emphasizing the need for larger sample sizes and long-term studies. Keywords: Posture exercises, static balance, dynamic balance, individuals with intellectual disabilities, balance training.