Physical education through human movement for individuals living with intellectual disability: a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction and problem statement: Intellectual disability (ID) is defined by the Diagnostic Criteria for Intellectual Disabilities (DSM-5) as: “A disorder with onset during the developmental period that includes both intellectual and adaptive functioning deficits in conceptual, social, and practical domains” (American Psychiatric Association, 2013:33). Individuals living with ID have a shorter life expectancy than the general population (Kinnear et al., 2018). Although the life expectancy of individuals living with ID has increased in recent times, most individuals with ID are still inactive and live a sedentary lifestyle (Hsieh et al., 2017). A sedentary lifestyle and obesity may lead to other noncommunicable diseases in this population (De Winter et al., 2012). In order for individuals living with ID to live independent and healthy lives, their functional fitness levels need to improve so that they can execute daily activities safely and independently without undue fatigue and age in a healthy manner (Blick et al., 2015). Participation in physical activities is important to improve functional fitness and promote independence throughout adulthood. However, barriers such as lack of interest, supervision, finance, transportation, and accessibility make participation in physical activities difficult for adults living with ID. Walking is an inexpensive exercise that can easily be applied in daily life. Moreover, dancing and following exercise videos along with the use of household objects for resistance training is enjoyable and easy to perform at home. A combination of walking, dancing and resistance training has seldom been implemented before on individuals living with ID . Purpose: Consequently, the purpose of this study was to determine whether an adapted exercise intervention with activities which are simple, fun, accessible, convenient and primed for socializing in a group would elicit significant improvements in various parameters associated with functional fitness for adults living with ID. Methods: The study used quantitative research to conduct a randomised control study. The study incorporated a pre- and post-test intervention design. A total of 42 willing adults living with ID (44.5±11.5 years), between the ages of 18 and 50, were randomly placed in an experimental (n=19) or control group (n=23). The supervised program consisted of walking, dancing and resistance training exercises and was implemented, three times a week for six weeks. Results: Significant improvements (p<0.05) were reported for body mass, hip circumference, aerobic capacity, functional ability, muscular strength, balance and flexibility with varying degrees of effect sizes. Conclusion: The combined exercise training program showed a significant positive impact on various parameters associated with functional fitness for adults living with ID.