Motoričke i funkcionalne sposobnosti alpskih skijaša s mentalnom retardacijom pod utjecajem treninga
Influence of Training on Motoric and Functional Abilities of Alpine Skiers with Mental Retardation

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate motor and functional abilities, and their changes upon the influence of training, of boys with mental retardation who participated in winter World Special Olympic Games 2001. The results were compared with their coevals with mental retardation who were not engaged in sport activities and with the skiers without disabilities. Eighteen boys, at the age of 14 to 17, classified as moderately mentally retarded were tested before and after a 9-week exercise program. Supervised optional training sessions on snow were held 6 days per week for four hours a day. Before and after the training program next tests were measured: standing long jump, vertical jump,20 m sprint, sit and reach test, side steps, polygon backward, and Astrand test for prediction of aerobic capacity. The obtained results were submitted to the standard statistical methods to determine descriptive parameters and MANOVA was used to analyze the differences. The skiers with mental retardation were better than their coevals who were not included in any sport program. Compared with the skiers without mental retardation they had significantly lower results in all items, pre- as well as post 9 weeks under the training program. Analysis of variance showed that the training produced significant increases in oxygen uptake, explosive strength, flexibility, agility and anaeroic endurance.

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