ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ВЕРТИКАЛЬНОЇ СТІЙКОСТІ ТІЛА ДІТЕЙ ЗІ СПАСТИЧНИМИ ФОРМАМИ ЦЕРЕБРАЛЬНОГО ПАРАЛІЧУ

Abstract. Relevance of the study. The issue of rehabilitation for children with disabilities remains at the forefront of both national and international scientific discourse. Contemporary research addresses a broad range of challenges arising from society's efforts to support children with disabilities. The purpose of the study is to determine the peculiarities of vertical postural stability in children with spastic diplegia and those with spastic hemiparesis. Participants. The study involved children aged 7–8 years diagnosed with spastic diplegia (n = 14) and spastic hemiparesis (n = 11). The research methods included a review of specialized scientific and methodological literature, a pedagogical experiment, and statistical data analysis. Results. Within the spastic diplegia group, 8 children (32% of the sample) had right-side-dominant impairments, while 6 children (24%) had left-side dominance. These children presented with mild motor impairments, allowing them to move independently indoors and descend stairs without assistance. Children with moderate impairments could perform these tasks with support. In the spastic hemiparesis group, 6 children had left-sided hemiparesis (24%), and 5 had right-sided hemiparesis (20%). Classification according to the GMFCS levels enabled a detailed analysis of physical abilities within each subgroup, considering the degree of motor activity and functional limitations. Conclusions. According to the vertical postural stability test (Romberg test) under conditions I and III, the differences in the mean balance-holding time between the groups were minimal and statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). These findings suggest that both groups exhibit comparable coordination capabilities. The interquartile range and overall data spread (min–max) further confirmed the similarity of outcomes, indicating an equivalent level of vestibular system dysfunction, regardless of the specific form of cerebral palsy. Moreover, the Mann–Whitney U test result (U = 71) exceeded the critical threshold (U_crit(11; 14; 0.05) = 40), supporting the absence of statistically significant differences between children with spastic diplegia and those with spastic hemiparesis. Future research prospects include the theoretical justification and development of a concept for applying technical tools and methodological techniques of an artificial controlling environment in the process of physical education and sports rehabilitation of younger school-aged children with cerebral palsy