The feasibility of vigorous resistance exercise training in adults with intellectual disabilities with cardiovascular disease risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is high in adults with intellectual disabilities. This CVD risk can potentially be decreased with a resistance training (RT) programme at vigorous intensity, following previous research on successful High-Intensity Training programmes. Our aim was to explore the feasibility of a vigorous RT-programme for adults with intellectual disabilities with CVD risk factors. METHOD: Twenty-four adults with intellectual disabilities with at least one CVD risk factor participated in a 24-week RT-programme. The training intensity was increased from novice (50%1RM) to vigorous (75%-80%1RM). Feasibility was based on the achieved training intensity at the end of the RT-programme. RESULTS: Nineteen participants finished the RT-programme. Feasibility was good as 58% (11 out of 19) of the participants worked out at vigorous intensity at the end of the programme. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible for the majority of adults with intellectual disabilities with CVD risk factors to exercise at vigorous intensity.

A resistance exercise set for a total body workout for adults with intellectual disabilities, a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Resistance training has beneficial effects on fitness levels, cardiovascular disease risk, risk of sarcopenia and on performing activities of daily living. The focus of this study is to design a total body resistance exercise set for adults with intellectual disabilities (RESID) with minimal equipment required and to test its feasibility. METHOD: The RESID was selected in an expert meeting, and its feasibility was determined in a cross-sectional pilot study. The feasibility was determined with completion rate, correct execution of exercises and the participant's experience. RESULTS: The expert group (n = 7) selected seven exercises for the RESID. The participants (N = 11) performed the RESID twice during regular sports classes. Completion rate and correctness were excellent for all exercises. The participants did not experience any major problems with the RESID. CONCLUSIONS: The RESID is feasible for use in different training settings. A physiotherapist or fitness instructor is required to supervise the training sessions.

REPRODUCIBILITY OF THE MODIFIED STAR EXCURSION BALANCE TEST COMPOSITE AND SPECIFIC REACH DIRECTION SCORES.

BACKGROUND: The mSEBT is a screening tool used to evaluate dynamic balance. Most research investigating measurement properties focused on intrarater reliability and was done in small samples. To know whether the mSEBT is useful to discriminate dynamic balance between persons and to evaluate changes in dynamic balance, more research into intra- and interrater reliability and smallest detectable change (synonymous with minimal detectable change) is needed. PURPOSE: To estimate intra- and interrater reliability and smallest detectable change of the mSEBT in adults at risk for ankle sprain. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, test-retest design. METHODS: Fifty-five healthy young adults participating in sports at risk for ankle sprain participated (mean ± SD age, 24.0 ± 2.9 years). Each participant performed three test sessions within one hour and was rated by two physical therapists (session 1, rater 1; session 2, rater 2; session 3, rater 1). Participants and raters were blinded for previous measurements. Normalized composite and reach direction scores for the right and left leg were collected. Analysis of variance was used to calculate intraclass correlation coefficient values for intra- and interrater reliability. Smallest detectable change values were calculated based on the standard error of measurement. RESULTS: Intra- and interrater reliability for both legs was good to excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient ranging from 0.87 to 0.94). The intrarater smallest detectable change for the composite score of the right leg was 7.2% and for the left 6.2%. The interrater smallest detectable change for the composite score of the right leg was 6.9% and for the left 5.0%. CONCLUSION: The mSEBT is a reliable measurement instrument to discriminate dynamic balance between persons. Most smallest detectable change values of the mSEBT appear to be large. More research is needed to investigate if the mSEBT is usable for evaluative purposes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2.