Does your teen with intellectual disability struggle with balance or coordination? Researchers reviewed 22 studies to find out which exercise programmes work best. The question mattered because balance difficulties are common in this group and affect their safety, confidence, and ability to join in sports and daily activities.
The review, published in Frontiers in Public Health, looked at children and teens with intellectual disabilities across multiple countries. Researchers compared different types of movement training to see which ones made the biggest difference to how well young people could balance.
Hopping and Jumping Led to the Strongest Gains
Three exercise approaches stood out. Hopping and jumping training showed the strongest results—significantly improving balance and movement ability. Simplified five-step boxing (a modified martial arts approach) also helped noticeably. General balance training provided moderate improvements. What makes this practical for Singapore families is that none of these require expensive equipment or complicated setups. They can fit into school PE lessons, community programmes, or home routines when guided by a qualified professional.
Why Better Balance Matters Beyond Coordination
Improving balance often brings broader benefits. Teens typically gain more confidence, participate more in social and physical activities, and reduce their risk of falls and injuries. These gains can ripple into other areas of life—better posture, improved independence in daily tasks, and stronger peer relationships through shared movement activities.
An Important Note on Evidence Strength
The research team emphasises that while results are encouraging, the overall quality of evidence is still developing. This means these findings are promising starting points rather than guaranteed solutions. However, this doesn't mean waiting. Many therapists and educators already use these approaches safely and see positive results. The key is working with qualified professionals—physiotherapists, special education teachers, or occupational therapists—who can tailor activities to your teen's specific abilities.
How to Get Started at Home
- Ask your teen's school or therapist if hopping, jumping, or adapted martial arts activities are available in their programmes.
- Work with a physiotherapist to design simple balance games your teen enjoys that can be done regularly at home.
- Explore community centres or sports clubs in Singapore that offer adapted PE or movement classes for teens with intellectual disabilities.