The effects of tandem skiing on posture and heart rate in children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The objective of study was to determine the effect of tandem ski (TS) activity on postural control and cardiac activity in children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMDs).

Method: Twenty children with PIMD and 20 age-matched controls (typically developed (TD) children) participated. Body segment movements were measured with inertial sensors (Physilog®) placed on the head, C7, trunk (including ECG) and pelvis with a seat reference. Each participant was measured during a 12-turn slalom pattern.

Results: In each group, significant differences were observed between the head vs. trunk and head vs. pelvis angular speeds (p<0.001). In both groups, heart rate differed significantly during rest (PIMD 99 bpm, TD 97 bpm), exercise (PIMD 140 bpm, TD 139 bpm; rest vs. exercise p<0.001) and recovery (PIMD 101 bpm, TD 107 bpm; exercise vs. recovery p<0.001).

Conclusions: In children with PIMD, TS elicits active postural control associated with cardiac activities similar to that of the controls.

KEYWORDS:

• Heart rate
• postural adjustment
• profound intellectual and multiple disabilities
• tandem skiing

Acknowledgments

F. Degache, A. Bonjour, D. Michaud, L. Mondada and C.J. Newman thank all the participating special-needs schools and teachers for their help, the Terrévent foundation (Geneva, Switzerland) for their generous sponsorship of our project, and the Just for Smiles foundation (Villeneuve, Switzerland) for providing tandem skiing sessions and logistic support. Finally, F. Degache, A. Bonjour, D. Michaud, L. Mondada and C.J. Newman are indebted to the participants and their families for their participation and exceptional commitment.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.