“Promoting Inclusive Activities in Adapted Environment Setting for Children with Disabilities"

Background: Inclusive Activities conducted in adapted environment has emerged as a promising intervention for children with disabilities, addressing both physical health and social inclusion challenges. Environment modifications including physical space adaptations, sensory accommodations, and structured support systems can significantly enhance exercise participation and outcomes for children with disabilities. Purpose: This study aimed to promote Inclusive Activities conducted in adapted environment on selected variables for children with disabilities, specifically examining changes in resting pulse rate and body mass index. Methods and Materials: Thirty children with moderate level intellectual disabilities residing in Tamil Nadu were randomly selected for this experimental study. The total sample (N=30) was divided into two equal groups: an experimental group consists of (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group participated in Inclusive Activities within specially adapted environment settings for 12 weeks, incorporating inclusive Activities, while the control group received no specific Activities. Environment adaptations included modified physical spaces, sensory accommodations, adaptive equipment, and structured peer support systems. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted for resting pulse rate and body mass index (BMI). Results: Statistical analysis using the 't' test revealed significant improvements in the experimental group. Resting heart rate decreased significantly from 83.86 bpm to 77.73 bpm (t-value = 2.56, p < 0.05). Body mass index showed highly significant reduction from 26.32 to 20.45 (t-value = 6.50, p < 0.05). The control group showed no significant changes in either variable. Conclusion: Inclusive Activities conducted in adapted environment, demonstrates significant effectiveness in improving selected variables for children with disabilities. The environment modifications and structured support systems appear crucial for maximizing exercise benefits, highlighting the importance of context-specific interventions in pediatric disabilities populations.