Abstract

---

This study investigated the effect of core stability training on physical work capacity of pupils with special needs in the school for the handicapped Oyo, Oyo State with seven hypotheses. Simple randomised pre-test post-test control experimental research design of 2×2×2 factorial matrix was adopted. Purposive sampling technique was used to get the 52 participants of which (n=32) pupils with special needs (ID) (n=17) were males and (n=15) females were assigned into experimental and (=20) normal pupils of which (=11) males and (n=9) females were assigned into control groups, while intervention lasted for 8 weeks. Age and gender were examined as the moderating effects, while control group received nutrition as placebo. Fore-arm prone plank, bird-dog, side plank, bicycle crunches and leg raises were used as core stability training. Instruments used were Hand Dynamometer, stop-watch, mats, stadiometer, and portable bathroom weighing scale and floor. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. Treatment group had the highest mean score (mean=18.340) followed by control group with (mean=15.055) on muscular strength, while controlled group had the highest mean score (mean=6.598) followed by treatment group with (mean=5.45) on balance. There were very large significant main effects on muscular strength ms (F = 39.129, p<.05, ç2=44.4%); balance (F = 6.811, p<.05, ç2=12.2%); interaction effect of treatment and age on balance (F = 5.812, p<.05, ç2=11.0%) and interaction effect between treatment, age and gender on balance (F= 4.073, p<.05, ç2=8.7%). There were no significant main effects of gender on muscular strength; age on balance and gender on balance; interaction effect of treatment and age on muscular strength (F = 0.287, p>.05, ç2=0.6%); interaction effect between treatment, age and gender on muscular strength (F= 0.137, p>.05, ç2=0.3%); interaction effect of age and gender on balance (F= 0.501, p>.05, ç2=1.1%); interaction effect of treatment and gender on balance (F = .250, p>.05, ç2=0.5%). It was recommended that Core stability training should as well be prescribed to people with special needs (intellectual disability) as home activity to increase level of participation in societies based children or people with cerebral palsy or contractures.

Keywords: Core stability training, Physical work capacity, Pupils with special needs.