Effects of a 24-week exercise program on anthropometric, body composition, metabolic status, cardiovascular response, and neuromuscular capacity, in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased in the last decades, including in people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). This is even more concerning when it is globally accepted that a low physical condition contributes to the deterioration of functionality and increases the risk of developing chronic diseases during life, with effective implications for health and well-being. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of two physical exercise intervention programs on institutionalized individuals with IDD.Methods: Twenty-one adults with IDD (43.04 ± 11.18 years) were split by convenience into three groups: i) an indoor training group (IG; N = 7; 24-week machine-based gym intervention), ii) an outdoor training group (OG; N = 7; 24-week outdoor intervention with low-content materials), and iii) a control group (CG; N = 7). Assessed outcomes included indicators of health and neuromuscular capacity. The ShapiroWilk (n < 50) and Levene tests were used to verify data normality and homoscedasticity. A Kruskal-Walli test was performed to understand if there were differences between the groups. For comparison purposes and to assess hypothetical differences between groups, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Friedman test were used. The respective effect size was calculated, and the significance level was defined at 0.05.Results/Discussion: There was a difference in fat mass in OG (initial ≠ intermediate; Bonferroni corrected: t = 2.405; p = 0.048; W = 0.08 and initial ≠ final moments; Bonferroni corrected: t = 2.405; p = 0.048; W = 0.08). Indoor intervention programs seem to be more effective than outdoor intervention programs for reducing heart rate rest (t = −2.912; p = 0.011; W = −0.104) when compared with CG.Conclusion: A low-cost outdoor intervention in contact with nature appears to be more effective for fat mass reduction. The results for heart rate variability are not clear and robust. Finally, an indoor intervention using weight-training machines appears to be a good method to promote neuromuscular capacity.

Physical Activity, Quality of Live and Well-Being in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disability

“…Given this population’s tendency towards a sedentary lifestyle [ 7 ], which tends to negatively affect QoL [ 11 ], with lower levels of functional mobility, essential for carrying out daily life tasks [ 14 ], participation in programs of this nature seem to have positive and significant effects on the QoL and well-being of people with IDD.…”

“…This population usually has a sedentary lifestyle [ 7 ], with low levels of physical activity (PA) [ 8 , 9 , 10 ], which tends to negatively affect their quality of life (QoL) [ 11 ]. Research has highlighted the positive impact of PA and physical exercise (PE) in preventing diseases such as type II diabetes, hypertension and obesity [ 7 , 12 ], as well as their contribution to improving physical fitness, with benefits for the individual’s general state of health, QoL and average life expectancy [ 13 , 14 ]. In this sense, different studies have shown that the practice of PA [ 7 , 15 ], PE [ 6 , 16 ] and sport [ 17 , 18 ] seems to be associated with an improvement in the perception of well-being and QoL of adults with IDD.…”

Gender Differences in Anthropometric, Functional Capacity Measures and Quality of Life in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

“…In the study by Ferreira et al [ 75 ], two programs are presented that have been adapted, one of which uses low-cost materials. These programs have already been shown to be effective and to have an acceptable adherence rate [ 76 ]. Tomé et al [ 77 ] also presents an intervention program using play, games, and pre-sport modalities, increasing enjoyment and the motivation to practice.…”

Lumbar Paravertebral Muscle Pain Management Using Kinesitherapy and Electrotherapeutic Modalities

“…The recent study by Jacinto et al [136] evaluated the effects of two 24-week exercise programs on indices of health and fitness in institutionalized individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Study findings revealed significant differences in cardiovascular response, with significant changes in HR observed at midterm assessments, while SBP and DBP variables did not show significant differences between groups.…”