Development of an ICT-Based Exergame Program for Children with Developmental Disabilities.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Human Movement Science

Background:

• Children with developmental disabilities (DD) often exhibit challenges in physical fitness and fundamental motor skills (FMS).
• Traditional interventions may not always fully engage this population.
• Information and Communications Technology (ICT) offers novel approaches for therapeutic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an ICT-based exergame tailored for children with DD.
• To evaluate the impact of this exergame on physical fitness and FMS in children with DD.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week ICT-based exergame program was implemented with an experimental group of 27 children with DD.
• A control group of 25 children with DD did not participate in the exergame.
• Physical fitness (standing long jump) and FMS (horizontal jump, hop, overhand throw, dribble) were assessed pre- and post-intervention.

Main Results:

• The experimental group showed significant improvements in physical fitness and FMS compared to the control group (p < 0.001).
• Specific improvements were observed in hop, overhand throw, dribble, and standing long jump.
• The horizontal jump skill did not show significant improvement.

Conclusions:

• The ICT-based exergame is an effective intervention for enhancing physical fitness and FMS in children with DD.
• This program offers a promising tool for improving motor development in this population.
• Further research can explore adaptations for specific motor skills like the horizontal jump.