A Preliminary Evaluation Of A Theory Based Structured Physical Activity Program For Improving Fitness In Populations With An Intellectual Disability

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Large prospective cohort studies consistently show that populations with an intellectual disability (PID) have significantly higher rates of obesity, and lower rates of physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular endurance than populations without an intellectual disability. Subsequently, PID are twice as likely to develop chronic disease, and will live half as long as populations without an intellectual disability. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of a Social Cognitive Theory based structured physical activity intervention to improve body composition in PID through increasing health-enhancing physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular endurance. METHODS: Thirteen young adults with an intellectual disability (ages 20-22, 38.5% female) are participating in a one hour structured physical fitness intervention, held twice a week, during two separate eight week modules. Participants are measured on a wide variety of physical fitness assessments at baseline, twice during the intervention, and once post-intervention. Baseline data are presented below. RESULTS: Baseline measures have been conducted and include: Body Mass Index (26.5 kg/m2 ± 8.2), percentage body fat (26.6%, ± 16.1), YMCA step test (150 ± 22.7 one minute recovery heart rate), wall push-ups (15.2 reps ± 7.7), walking lunges (13.0 reps ± 7.2), and abdominal static plank (25.2 seconds ± 18.2). CONCLUSION: Preliminary results show the sample on average is overweight, has a high percentage of body fat, and demonstrates elevated levels of post-exercise recovery heart rate. However, the presence of large standard deviations in these fitness measures indicates a wide distribution of fitness levels within the sample. This substantiates the need for exercise programs for this population.