Yoga program to improve physical condition, posture and flexibility in adolescents with down syndrome: case study

Abstract

This study addresses the implementation of a yoga program as a strategy to improve physical fitness, posture, and flexibility in adolescents with Down syndrome. Using a qualitative approach based on a case study, the study involved a tenth-grade student with mild intellectual disability in upper basic education. Participant observation techniques, checklists, interviews with teachers and parents, and pedagogical tests such as the Romberg test and the functional reach test were used. The intervention lasted four sessions (eight teaching periods), structured in a four-week Teaching Unit Plan (DUP), with objectives focused on improving balance, posture, and flexibility. This program was developed according to the Physical Education curriculum guidelines of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education. The results showed that the student presented difficulties with balance, coordination, and posture, which affected his integration into physical education classes. However, the practice of yoga demonstrated improvements in his postural stability and emotional well-being. The discussion highlights the importance of inclusive methodologies that foster the autonomy and comprehensive development of students with disabilities, promoting yoga as an effective alternative in education.