Issue 25-4, 2026

Original article

https://doi.org/10.38025/2078-1962-2026-25-4-35-44

Exercise Therapy for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Differences: An Applied Study

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ORCIDDarya V. Fedulova1,*, ORCIDKirill A. Berdyugin1,2

1Ural Federal University named after the First President B.N. Yeltsin, Yekaterinburg, Russia
2 Ural Institute of Traumatology and orthopedics named after V.D. Chaklin, Yekaterinburg, Russia


ABSTRACT

ЦЕЛЬ.INTRODUCTION. Motor development is intricately connected to cortical processes in the brain, and these processes show distinct features in children with intellectual disabilities. Evaluating motor function, creating effective physical rehabilitation programs, and assessing changes in performance indicators relative to neurotypical peers are crucial tasks.

AIM. To evaluate the musculoskeletal system and develop a programme of exercise therapy tailored to the specific nature of the disorder, and analyze its effectiveness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study was conducted in special education and mainstream schools in Yekaterinburg between 2021 and 2023. It involved 160 children aged 12–14, who were divided into four groups of 40: groups 1 and 2 (control and experimental) comprised individuals with mild intellectual disability, whilst groups 3 and 4 (control and experimental) comprised individuals with neurotypical development. Intellectual development was measured using the Wechsler test, and the condition of the musculoskeletal system was assessed using the Humac Norm biomechanical therapeutic and diagnostic system. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software. For a comparative analysis of the significance of differences between the groups, the non-parametric one-way Kruskal — Wallis ANOVA was used. Correlation analysis was carried out using Spearman's rank correlation test. Quantitative data are described with the median, the 1st and 3rd quartiles.

RESULTS. A statistically significant reduction in muscle deficit indicators (ΔD) was observed after 4 courses of exercise therapy using the developed methodology among participants in the experimental groups (ranging from 2 to 15 %). For those muscles where no positive changes were observed, the percentage of negative progress in terms of asymmetry was only 0.5 %. In the control groups, particularly among individuals with intellectual disabilities (IWID), an increase in deficit was diagnosed across all muscle groups studied (ranging from 3.5 to 18.5 %). The changes in strength indicators ranged from 16.73 to 50.7 % in the control group of IWID, and from 23.46 to 63.85 % in the experimental group of IWID; in the control group of individuals with neurotypical development, the range was from 14.22 to 44.35 %, and in the experimental group of individuals with neurotypical development, the range was from 15.1 to 47.85 %.

DISCUSSION. Individuals with intellectual disabilities typically exhibit lower baseline muscle strength than their neurotypical peers. However, our study results demonstrated signifi cant strength gains across various muscle groups for all participants, regardless of the severity of their condition. Notably, the experimental group of individuals with intellectual disabilities achieved the greatest improvement in overall performance.

CONCLUSION. Methods of exercise therapy, which focused on correcting movement disorders through strength training and the stimulation of interhemispheric interaction using the TRX (Total Body Resistance Exercise) and elastic bands with varying degrees of resistance, has proven effective in promoting physical development and reducing muscular asymmetries.


KEYWORDS: intellectual disability, functional diagnostics, muscle imbalance, physical rehabilitation

FOR CITATION: Fedulova D.V., Berdyugin K.A. Exercise Therapy for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Differences: An Applied Study. Bulletin of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2026; 25(4):35–44. https://doi.org/10.38025/2078-1962-2026-25-4-35-44 (In Russ.).]

FOR CORRESPONDENCE:

Darya V. Fedulova, E-mail: d.v.fedulova@urfu.ru


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This is an open article under the CC BY 4.0 license. Published by the National Medical Research Center for Rehabilitation and Balneology.