[[alternative]]THE ROLE OF VISION IN BALANCE TRAINING ON MENTALLY RETARDED STUDENTS' BALANCE MOVEMENT PERFORMANCE.

Abstract

[[abstract]]The purpose of this research is to investigate the role of vision in balance training for students with mental retardation. The subjects included 8 students ranging from 13 to 15 years of age. Before training, each subject had to be examined with the following tests under full-vision and no-vision condition walking forward and backward on the balance beam. After pre-test, each subject was assigned to a vision or no-vision training group. Each group had 5 days training session with balance beam walking and trendmill walking. The mid-test and final-test was held on the 3rd and 7th day after the training had started. Testing items included the distance, the speed and the step distance. The conclusion is as following: 1.After training, the full-vision and no-vision group shows significant differences in distance, it is the evidence that balance performance could be improved after physical training. 2.No-vision group took slower and steady walking strategy and the full-vision group relied on vision and use the fast but unstable movement strategy. 3.Walking backward with full-vision, walking forward with no-vision, walking backward with no-vision are effect by vision condition. No-vision group take slower and shooter step of distance. 4.No-vision training seems help students improving their movement stability. It is an inexpensive and easy way to practice under different visual conditions. Hopefully more researches and teaching strategies of this kind will be done in the future.