Abstract

Hearing-impaired children have decreased static and dynamic balance abilities. Sixteen hearing-impaired children, aged 6 to 10 years, participated in this pilot study to assess the effect of a 6-week posture and body awareness activity program on balance. The 11 children in the experimental group participated in a weekly activity program during their physical education class at school; the five members of the control group followed their normal physical education routine. Pre- and posttests showed that the balance of the experimental group improved (p < .10), whereas the balance of the control group did not improve. These results indicate the need for further research in the area of improving the balance skills of hearing-impaired children.

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