The acute effect of maximal exercise on arterial stiffness in adults with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities

Abstract

Purpose: We compared central and peripheral arterial stiffness response patterns between persons with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) of different age groups at rest and following a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). 
 Methods: 15 young adults with and without IDD, and 15 middle-aged adults without IDD performed a CPET. Central and peripheral arterial stiffness were measured at rest and following CPET using estimates of carotid-femoral (cfPWV), carotid-radial (crPWV), and carotid-ankle (cdPWV) pulse wave velocity derived from piezoelectric mechano-transducers. 
 Results: cfPWV remained unchanged following CPET in adults with and without IDD but increased in middle-aged adults (d= 0.85; 95% CI: 0.27 to 1.42 m.s-1, p= 0.005), whereas cdPWV was similarly reduced (d= -0.77; 95% CI: -1.06 to -0.48 m.s-1, p< 0.001) in all groups. crPWV remained unchanged in all groups. These results were independent of exercise-related changes in mean arterial pressure. Overall group differences suggested that persons with IDD (d = - 1.78; 95% CI: -3.20 to -0.37 m.s-1, p= 0.009) and without IDD (d = -1.84; 95% CI: -3.26 to -0.43 m.s-1, p= 0.007) had lower cfPWV than middle-aged adults. 
 Conclusion: We found no evidence of early vascular aging and diminished vascular reserve following CPET in adults with IDD.

The effectiveness of video-based exercise training program for people with intellectual disability: a multicenter study

“…Several past studies have reported the benefits of conventional exercise training in terms of aerobic training in improving the cardiovascular fitness and brachial systolic blood pressure in people with intellectual or developmental disabilities (16)(17)(18). However, the outcomes were varied and not conclusive.…”