Impact of Frisbee game course on the upper limb motor function of students with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Objectives: Upper limb motor dysfunction often occurs in individuals with intellectual disabilities, affecting their daily self-care abilities and employability. Therefore, enhancing their upper limb motor function could improve the quality of life. This study investigated the impact of Frisbee game course on the upper limb motor function of students with intellectual disabilities.

Methods: A self-designed Frisbee game course was made available to 10 senior vocational students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities in a special school in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The students participated 40 min each time, 4 times a week, for 6 weeks. Pre and post-test functional capacity and Frisbee throwing distance were measured. Descriptive statistics and paired-sample t-test were performed for the data analysis.

Results: Frisbee game course improved the lifting capacity, significantly improved the grip strength (dominant hand), upper limb power, hand-eye coordination, and gross and fine hand motor skills of students with intellectual disabilities.

Conclusion: Frisbee game course can improve upper limb muscle strength, power, coordination ability, and dexterity. Schools should implement Frisbee game courses and ensure their availability in the health and physical education of students with intellectual disabilities to enhance their upper limb motor function, employability, and vocational adaptability, thus improving their quality of life.

Keywords:

• hand-eye coordination
• motor skills
• adapted physical education

Acknowledgements

We thank all the students, their teachers and school for taking part in this study.