Effects of Reinforcement Based Exercise on Fitness and Work Productivity in Adults with Mental Retardation

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effects of a reinforcement based aerobic and resistance exercise program on three obese men with mental retardation and below average fitness levels. A multiple-baseline-across-subjects design was employed to evaluate treatment effectiveness and retention of treatment effects on five dependent measures: body weight, percent body fat (body composition), oxygen consumption (predicted max V̇O2 in ml/kg/min), composite isometric strength (in kg of force), and work productivity (pieces of work completed). Subjects improved during treatment from their baseline scores on cardiovascular fitness, strength, and work productivity measurements (p<.05); however, retention of gains made during treatment were inconsistent and the data that indicated subjects’ scores were regressing back toward baseline measurements. There were no significant differences for body weight and percent body fat measurements for treatment and retention phases (p>.05). Results indicated that adults with mental retardation respond to a progressive exercise program in much the same manner as their nonretarded peers and that such an exercise program can facilitate job performance.

Parents’ perceptions of health and physical activity needs of children with Down syndrome

“…Rimmer and colleagues [49] found significant improvements in the cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength and endurance of adults with Down syndrome who participated in a cardiovascular and strength exercise training programme. Other studies also showed improvements in muscle strength following training programmes for individuals with Down syndrome [19,20] . Draheim REPORTS bin [50] found reduced risk of hyperinsulinemia and abdominal obesity in adults with mental retardation (with and without Down syndrome) who were moderately to vigorously physically active at least five days per week and consumed lower dietary fat intakes.…”

Functional and biochemical characterization of soleus muscle in Down syndrome mice: insight into the muscle dysfunction seen in the human condition

“…Not surprisingly, muscle weakness interferes with these individuals' ability to perform tasks of daily living (8,16,39). Reductions in physical function limits opportunities for independent living, vocational opportunity and productivity, and economic self-sufficiency that ultimately lead to assisted living and lower quality of life in this population (17,36,49,51). Furthermore, mobility impairments are predictive of mortality in adults with DS (13).…”

Neuromuscular characteristics in trained vs. sedentary male adults with intellectual disability

“…). Second, having greater muscle strength contributes to perform tasks of daily living and/or occupational activities more easily and can even enhance work productivity in individuals with ID (Croce and Horvat ; Seagraves et al . ).…”