Introduction: Rett syndrome is a developmental neurological disorder resulting from spontaneous mutation on the MECP2 gene, mostly affecting females. The manifestation of the disease is that an individual's development is normal during the first 6-18 months, followed by a period of regression and deterioration in cognitive abilities, speech communication, and both fine and gross motor skills. This regression phase is followed by a stabilization period, during which slight improvement may be observed in some individuals. In the final stage, preserved motor abilities further decline, with secondary complications arising due to the reduced capacity of atrophied muscles, joint contractures, as well as spasticity. Muscle function in individuals with Rett syndrome is always limited, both in the early stages of regression and in the later stages of general functional decline. The MATP exercise program is part of the multidisciplinary approach to individuals with neurological or developmental disorders. It offers individually planned exercises and modifications of sports activities, enabling participation in sports even for individuals with the most severe disorders. Purpose: The aim of this paper is to analyse the short-term and long-term effects of a 6-month MATP exercise program, combined with neurodevelopmental treatment, on the muscle performance of female athletes with Rett syndrome through statistical analysis of the results of functional muscle performance tests. Methods: The retrospective pilot study included 8 female athletes with Rett syndrome, who were involved in muscle performance testing as part of the health program FUNfitness by the Special Olympics Slovenia. The athletes were divided into a research group and a control group according to the research protocol. All athletes participated in standard neurodevelopmental treatment twice a week for 6 months, while the research group also participated in MATP exercise program three times a week. Measurements were taken within the FUNfitness health program before the intervention, at the end of intervention (6 months after the start), and 6 months after the intervention ended. Results: The results of statistical analysis showed significant differences between the research group and the control group, both short-term and long-term. Discussion and conclusion: Based on the results of functional muscle performance tests, we conclude that the MATP exercise program has both short-term and long-term effects on the muscle performance of female athletes with Rett syndrome. Our research is one of the first of its kind, and its findings are important for clinical physiotherapy practice, while also raising significant questions for further research.
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