TABLE TENNIS CONTRIBUTION TO OPTIMIZING HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN YOUTH WITH INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES

In this study, our purpose was to emphasize the potential role of adapted motion activities to the motion related development of children with intellectual developmental disorders, in particular the role of table tennis in increasing the ability of movement of these children and the role of such activities in their socialization. We have included in our study 9 children with minor intellectual disabilities, aged between 10 and 14. The specific methods used were grouped into: voluntary relaxation exercises (autogenic training), dynamic balance exercises, exercises of coordination and ability and orientation games focusing on the development of the neuromuscular and mental reflex specific for correct attitudes. Meetings were held twice a week, including a warming up program, work program, physical therapy program and a table tennis training program. Table tennis training program included, besides general warming up exercises, other procedures specific to table tennis. Thus, daily for 30 minutes, after the end of physical therapy program, we have repeated the evaluation exercises. Also, other methods have been tried with those who had more developed motion ability, such as hitting balls to the wall, diagonally service. Results and conclusions. The young people with disabilities' participation in physical education and adapted sport activities pursues major objectives such as the development of psiho-motility components, skill acquisition and training of motion skills, exercise the capacity of making physical effort, etc. Table tennis is a sport growing in general the interest of youngsters, but requires special equipments difficult to adapt and professionalism on behalf of the multidisciplinary team involved.