Wii-based exercise program in persons with intellectual disabilities: technological perspective to improve motor performance

Wii-based exercise program and intellectual disability

Resumo

Aims: To examine the effects of Wii-based exercise program on individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Methods: The study consisted of a case reports design involving six individuals with ID who attended a special needs school. The Wii-based exercise program for participants consisted of twenty sessions. The Motor Development Scale (MDS), the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI) test, and their additional tests (i.e., fine motor coordination and visual perception) were administered before and after the Wii-based exercise program; the researcher manually recorded games scores practiced in the program for further analysis. Results: The Wii games’ results showed that participants significantly improved their performances during twenty sessions. Regarding the results of the applied tests, supplementary test results for motor coordination of the Beery VMI showed that the participants’ performances improved significantly before and after the Wii-based exercise program. However, there were no significant changes in the results of the Beery VMI visual-motor integration, visual perception, and MDS before and after the Wii-based exercise program. Conclusions: These reports suggest that, although participants did not demonstrate significant improvements in motor development assessments, the Wii-based approach allows them to practice and enhance specific motor skills, such as coordination, movement speed, accuracy, and balance control, while maintaining regular exercise routines, which promotes overall health.