Comparative analysis of physical development indicators of primary school children with normal hearing and hearing impairments

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to carry out a comparative analysis of the indicators of physical development of primary school children with normal hearing and with hearing impairments. Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of the Volodymyr special school of the Volyn regional council for deaf children of primary grades (2–4 grades: 17 people, of which 10 boys and 7 girls) and relatively healthy peers (2–4 grades: 64 people, of which 40 boys and 24 girls). All participants in the study were aged from 7 to 9 years. To achieve the goal, we used the following research methods: theoretical (analysis of scientific and methodological literature, theoretical analysis and generalization, system analysis), research of indicators of physical development using the method of standard anthropometry and mathematical data processing. Results. Data processing allows us to conclude that in boys aged 8–9 years and girls aged 7 and 9 years with hearing impairment, the average body length is statistically significantly lower compared to practically healthy peers (p < 0.05). A similar trend is observed with regard to body weight: in children aged 7–9 years with hearing impairment it is also lower than in their peers studying in a general secondary education institution (p < 0.05). At the same time, the analysis of body mass index showed the absence of statistically significant differences between children with hearing impairment and practically healthy peers in the age range of 7–9 years (p > 0.05), with the exception of girls aged 9 years, in whom these differences are significant (p < 0.05). In order to assess the level of physical development of primary school children with hearing impairment, intergroup assessment tables of physical development of healthy schoolchildren were used. Based on the definition of anthropometric status, the following levels of physical development were distinguished: low, below average, average, above average, and high. The results obtained indicate that boys with hearing impairment aged 7–8 years are characterized by an average level of physical development in terms of height, while at 9 years their level decreases to below average. In the group of practically healthy boys, it was found that 9-year-old children have an average level of development, and at 7–8 years – a level above average. Among girls with hearing impairments, it was found that at the age of 7 they belong to an average level of physical development, while at 8–9 years – to a level below average. In contrast, practically healthy girls at 8 years are characterized by an average level of development, and at 7 years – a level above average. According to the results of body weight assessment, it was found that boys with hearing impairment at the age of 7 years were characterized by an average level of physical development, while at 8–9 years their indicators were lower than the average level. In practically healthy boys aged 7–9 years, an average level of development was recorded. Among girls with hearing impairment in the age groups of 7 years, an average level of physical development was observed, while at 8–9 years it was lower than the average. In practically healthy girls aged 7–9 years, body weight indicators corresponded to the average level of development. Conclusions. Thus, the obtained results of the study are consistent with the conclusions of specialists in the field of adaptive physical education and indicate a significant lag of primary school children with hearing impairment compared to their practically healthy peers in all basic indicators of physical development.