THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE INTERACTION BEHAVIOURS AND EMOTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: A TRADITIONAL REVIEW

Improving the quality of life of individuals with mental retardation and developmentaldisabilities is of great importance for public health and individual well-being. In this context,physical activity is a critical tool in improving individuals' physical health, improving theirsocial interaction skills, and supporting their emotional characteristics. While the developingliterature provides important findings to understand the effects of physical activity, it alsoemphasizes the need for comprehensive evaluations in this field. Regular physical activityimproves physical health, strengthens social skills, and promotes emotional well-being inindividuals with disabilities. However, it has also been reported that these activities contributeto physical fitness increased self-esteem, emotional regulation, and social participation. Suchbenefits are seen to have positive reflections on both the individual and social lives ofindividuals. In this study, the effects of physical activity in individuals with mental retardationand developmental disabilities were discussed comprehensively. The literature shows thatphysical activity improves physical health indicators and significantly contributes to theindividual's social, emotional, and psychological well-being. In addition to supportingmusculoskeletal functions, physical activity positively affects cardiovascular health, motor skilldevelopment, and weight management. In addition, it has been stated that it increasesindividuals' self-esteem, reduces negative emotional states such as stress and anxiety, improvessocial interactions, and facilitates their integration into society. The research was conducted using the traditional review method, and the effects and importance of physical activity inmental retardation and developmental disability were revealed through literature research. As aresult of the study, it is revealed that physical activity alleviates the emotional difficulties ofindividuals, improves their social skills, and improves their quality of life. The literature pointsout that physical activity programs should be adapted to the individual needs of individuals.The study emphasizes that physical activity is a multifaceted tool that improves the socialcohesion and general well-being of individuals with mental retardation and developmentaldisabilities and the importance of developing more comprehensive and accessible programs toensure the sustainability of this effect.