ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2018 September;69(3 Suppl 1):43-8

DOI: 10.23736/S0394-3410.18.03879-1

Copyright © 2018 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Effects of modern fitness technologies on physical qualities in students with locomotor disorders

Evgeniy CHEREPOV ✉, Vitaly EPISHEV, Evgeniya TEREKHINA

Research Center for Sport Science, Institute of Sports, Tourism, and Service, South Ural State University, Chelyabinsk, Russia

BACKGROUND: The aim of our research was to improve the methods of health-promoting physical education classes for students with locomotor disorders with the help of differentiated organization of lesson structure and advanced fitness technologies.
METHODS: The research involved survey, forming (transforming) educational experiment, assessment (testing) of physical fitness level, dynamometry, and methods of mathematical statistics. The experimental group (40 first-year female students of South Ural State University who had locomotor disorders and therefore were enlisted in a special medical group) twice a week attended 60-minute PE classes according to a modular method and once a week swimming class. The educational experiment was conducted in 2015-2016 academic year and included 51 practical and 7 theoretical classes. PE classes in the experimental group consisted of the following modules: module 1, calisthenics (18 classes); module 2, gliding disc workout (15 classes); and module 3, total body resistance exercises (TRX; 18 classes). PE classes in the control group was organized in accordance with a traditional program for special medical groups. The control group had two 60-minute PE classes and one swimming class per week.
RESULTS: The survey among 155 first-year students belonging to special medical groups (physical education (PE) groups for people with physical disabilities) showed that the most common pathology in subjects was locomotor disorders and diseases. The comparative analysis of survey results at the end of the academic year revealed significant (P<0.05) positive changes in all examined physical fitness parameters in the experimental group. The indices of strength endurance tests increased: push-ups by 74.2%, hyperextension by 31.3%, and sit-ups by 34.2%. The results in floor touch test characterizing flexibility improved by 27%. Twelve-minute Cooper walk test for endurance assessment had 13.5% better indices. Speed-strength indicators in stuffed ball throw test improved by 15.6%. Right hand static strength test (dynamometry) results significantly grew by 8.6%.
CONCLUSIONS: Different content of PE classes had different effect on the structure of students’ motivation for physical activity. The improved method of health-promoting classes for the students with locomotor disorders is very effective due to differential lesson structuring and use of advanced fitness technologies.

KEY WORDS: Health promotion - Physical fitness - Gymnastics - Resistance training - Motivation - Neurologic gait disorders