Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• saeed sadeghi ¹
• Seyyed Mohammad Marandi ¹
• Fahimeh Esfarjani ²
• Vahid Zolaktaf ³
• Hossein Sortiji ⁴

¹ Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

² Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

³ Associate Professor, Department of Sport Injury and Corrective Exercise, School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

⁴ Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.

Abstract

Children with autism have weaker balance performance than their healthy counterparts. The ability to maintain balance is particularly important because it is a prerequisite for performing other movement activities. This research was conducted in order to determine the effect of square stepping exercises with a light screen on the static and dynamic balance of children with autism. In this semi-experimental study, 20 children with autism, aged 6 to 12 years, were randomly divided into two groups of ten (exercise group with light screen and control group). The exercise group with a light screen and the control group with a simple screen received square stepping exercises for 12 weeks in 4 sessions of 45 minutes per week under the supervision of their trainers. To evaluate static and dynamic balance, the foot scan device and the heel-to-toe walking test were used, respectively. The research data was analyzed by covariance test at a significant level (p<0.05). With the pre-test control, a significant difference was observed between the experimental group and the control regarding the static balance state (Displacement pressure of Center (p = 0.003) and Excursion Velocity of center of pressure (p = 0.007). Also, in the case of dynamic balance, a significant difference was found between the average groups (p=0.001). These results can provide a good basis for using this exercises method to increase the balance and motor functions of children with autism.

Keywords

• autism
• stepping patterns
• static balance
• dynamic balance