Journal of Paramedical Sciences & Rehabilitation

Journal of Paramedical Sciences & Rehabilitation

Comparison of Nonlinear Dynamics of Stepping in Educable Girls with Intellectual Disabilities under Internal and External Attention Focus Instructions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
M Akhondzadeh
H Samadi
S Ahar
M Haj Lotfalian
Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
10.22038/jpsr.2025.87437.2694
Abstract
Purpose:
Alterations in gait patterns and asymmetry in gait cycle parameters among individuals with intellectual disabilities increase the risk of falls, reduce motor efficiency, and also increase coordination variability. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of different types of attentional focus on the coordination variability of lower body segments in educable girls with intellectual disabilities.
Methods:
This applied, quasi-experimental study involved 23 girls aged 10–13 years with educable intellectual disabilities, selected through convenience sampling. Inertial sensors were attached to the pelvis, thigh, leg, and foot to assess gait kinematics under four attentional focus conditions: control (Ctrl), internal attention (IA), close external attention (CEA), and far external attention (FEA). Coordination variability (CV) was calculated using the angle-angle method between adjacent limb segments and the standard deviation index. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results:
No significant differences were observed in the CV of the Hip-Thigh segment across the attentional focus conditions (Ctrl: 32.05 ± 9.71; IA: 32.75 ± 8.60; CEA: 32.94 ± 8.70; FEA: 34.00 ± 6.10) (p ≥ 0.05). However, the CV of the Thigh-Leg segment (Ctrl: 7.25 ± 1.33; IA: 7.37 ± 1.40; CEA: 7.43 ± 2.33; FEA: 7.80 ± 2.26) and the Leg-Ankle segment (Ctrl: 17.00 ± 2.90; IA: 17.45 ± 5.70; CEA: 18.73 ± 3.67; FEA: 19.31 ± 5.90) were significantly lower in the FEA condition compared to the IA condition (p ≤ 0.05).
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that adopting a far external focus of attention can effectively reduce coordination variability in lower body segments during gait in girls with intellectual disabilities.
Keywords
Coordination Variability
External Attention
Gait
Internal Attention
Intellectual Disability
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Journal of Paramedical Sciences & Rehabilitation
Volume 14, Issue 3
Autumn 2025
Pages 54-66