Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Master’s Student, Department of Sports Injuries and Corrective Exercises, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2
Department of Health and Sport Medicine, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
3
M.Sc. Student in Physical Education and Sport Sciences (Sports Injury and Corrective Exercise), University of Tehran Department of Sport Injuries and Corrective Exercises Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University
APSS/apss.2026.2096148.1030
Abstract
Background: Deaf children may experience balance and gait impairments due to vestibular and sensorimotor deficits associated with hearing loss.
Aim: To compare the effects of eight weeks of proprioceptive and vestibular training on balance and gait parameters in deaf male students.
Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental pretest–posttest study, 24 deaf male students aged 8–15 years were randomly assigned to proprioceptive, vestibular, or control groups. The intervention groups trained three times weekly for eight weeks, while controls continued usual activities. Static and dynamic balance, step length, step width, gait speed, and cadence were assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and LSD post hoc tests.
Results: Both training groups significantly improved static and dynamic balance, step length, gait speed, and cadence, whereas the control group showed no significant changes. Step width remained unchanged. Between-group differences were significant for static balance, favoring proprioceptive training (p < 0.001), and for gait speed (p = 0.035), with both intervention groups outperforming controls.
Conclusion: Proprioceptive and vestibular training improved balance and selected gait parameters in deaf male students. Proprioceptive training produced greater gains in static balance.
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