| Abstract | The primary purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a Nintendo Wii Fit balance intervention to a traditional balance intervention. Thirteen children (ages 4-6, 8 with Down syndrome (DS) and 6 typically developing (TD)) from an early childhood education program were selected to participate. Participants were randomly divided into either the Nintendo WiiFit or the traditional balance intervention group. Both groups trained 10 minutes per day, five days a week, for five weeks. Balance skills were tested three times (pre-test, post-test, and a retention test) using the Pediatric Balance Scale. Results showed a significant training effect on balance for all participants (F(2,13) = 19.08, p < .01). The balance scores improved significantly from baseline to post-testing (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between post-test and retention (p=0.39). There was no difference between participants who received the WiiFit training and those who received the traditional training (F(2, 13) = 0.66, p=0.53). The results of the study indicate that young children can improve balance abilities through a short-term training intervention. In addition, the WiiFit intervention was found to be a successful means to improve balance in young children with and without Down syndrome. |
