A community-based aquatic exercise program to improve endurance and mobility in adults with mild to moderate intellectual disability

Identifying the benefits of recovery programs of aquatic gymnastics, aquatic ludotherapy and therapeutic swimming on human motor, kinetotherapeutic and mental capacity

Introduction

This study aimed to evaluate the motor, kinetotherapeutic, and psychological benefits of three aquatic therapeutic programs-aquagym recovery (AG), aquatic ludotherapy (ALT), and therapeutic swimming (TS)-for students specializing in balneo-physio-kinetotherapy.

Methods

The study group consisted of 101 students, out of which 43 students from the balneo-physiokinetotherapy study program (BFKT) and 67 master's degree students from physical therapy and functional rehabilitation (PTFR). The questionnaire was named Questionnaire regarding the benefits of therapeutic aquatic programs (QBTAP), and included 3 subscales according to the typology of the targeted objectives, namely: motor, kinetotherapeutic and psychological. The items of each subscale correspond to the objectives identified in the content of the 3 aquatic programs stipulated in the content of the courses corresponding to the disciplines in the education plans of academic study programs (BFK, TRFR). The motor subscale included 8 items, the kinetotherapeutic subscale included 16 items, and the psychological subscale included 10 items. The evaluation of the QBTAP questionnaire 5-point Likert scale. The three evaluated programs were: recovery aquagym (AG), aquatic ludotherapy (ALT) and therapeutic swimming (TS).

Results

The results and conclusion sections should highlight the main findings succinctly. For example: "The QBTAP showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's Alpha >0.9) across all subscales and programs, with significant differences identified between the three programs (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The study concludes that aquagym most effectively improves motor capacity, aquatic ludotherapy enhances psychological function, and therapeutic swimming is most beneficial for recovery and rehabilitation.

Effects of Aquatic Interventions on Physical Health Indicators in People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Review

Exercise in water is widely used for improving the physical capacities of people with intellectual disabilities (IDs). In this review, we examined the results of studies on the effects of water interventions on functional abilities, as well as the physiological and biochemical status of people with IDs. We considered studies in the PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Research Gate databases which were published between 2010 and 31 December 2022. Based on our inclusion criteria, 15 studies were selected for review. We found incomplete recording of data on the intensity and timing of physical activity. There was also wide variation in the terminology used to describe physical abilities. The study results suggested that aquatic interventions brought about improvements in endurance and strength; however, conflicting data were found with respect to balance and body mass index, and there were few data on biomarkers related to stress and brain health. Further research with more accurate training load data and a more common fitness terminology is needed. Lastly, traditional swimming should probably be considered as an aquatic intervention.

The influence of 15-weeks climbing program on the static and dynamic balance of young adults with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of climbing on static and dynamic balance and to determine the usefulness of such training in supporting the fitness of young adults with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities.

METHOD

The study involved 47 men and 21 women aged 18-25 years. The experimental group participated in classes on an artificial climbing wall for 15 weeks. At that time, the control group did not participate in any organised sports activities. The balance was assessed twice using tests: a bench walk, a functional reach, a single leg stance with the eyes open and closed, and a BTS P-WALK baroresistive platform.

RESULTS

In the experimental group there were improvements in functional reach test by 7.79 cm (p < .001), balance walk test by 0.47 pts (p = .003), improvements in frontal and sagittal plane stability, and tilting area in the closed eyes test. The changes that were observed in the control group were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Climbing activities can be part of a rehabilitation program to improve balance.

Factors associated with non-completion of and scores on physical capability tests in health surveys: The North Health in Intellectual Disability Study

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the completion rates, scores and factors associated with non-completion and low scores on physical capability tests in a health survey administered to adults with intellectual disabilities.

METHOD

Assessment comprised body mass index (BMI), the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), the timed up-and-go (TUG) test, the one-legged stance (OLS) test; and gross motor, communication and behavioural functioning tests.

RESULTS

The completion rates among 93 participants (aged 17-78) were 46% for the SPPB, 42% for the TUG, and 31% for the OLS. More severe intellectual disability (OR = 3.12, p < .001) and lower BMI (OR = 0.859, p = .001) were related to test non-completion. The SPPB scores were below the reference values from the general population. Lower scores were associated with older age, motor disabilities and intellectual disability severity.

CONCLUSIONS

Including physical capability tests in health surveys among adults with intellectual disabilities is important to monitor functional status and guide prevention strategies.

"Just Going to a Spin Class": Participant Experiences of Inclusion Within an Integrated Indoor Cycling Program

Justifications for access to physical activity for people who experience disability tend to focus on the health benefits associated with a medical model of disability. The result is often programs that are segregated and impairment-focused, with limited access to integrated settings that are also potentially inclusive. In this instrumental case study, the authors engaged 20 participants with and without impairment from an adult integrated indoor cycling program to explore what contributed to meaningful and inclusive experiences in this setting. Data were generated through semistructured interviews and reflective notes. Thematic analysis led to three themes: (a) "just going to a spin class" (b) "seamless"? and (c) "deliberate community." Using a relational ethics framework, the findings are discussed with regard to their potential to inform the development of integrated and inclusive physical activity programs, with emphasis on program structure and instructor reflexivity and training.

Is Physical Activity Associated With Physical Performance in Adults With Intellectual Disability?

Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior may contribute to physical function in adults with intellectual disability (ID). This study examined whether objectively measured PA and sedentary behavior levels are associated with physical performance in adults with ID. Fifty-eight adults with ID (29 women and 29 men, age 44 ± 14 years) underwent a measurement of physical performance with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and PA and sedentary time using a hip-worn accelerometer (wGT3X-BT; ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL). Moderate PA and age were significantly associated with the SPPB score (r = .39 and .34, respectively; p < .01). A hierarchical-regression model with moderate PA and age as independent variables indicated that moderate PA was a significant predictor of SPPB (p < .001; R2 = .153), but age was not (p = .123; R2 change = .036). Overall, moderate PA was significantly associated with the SPPB score, even after accounting for age, in adults with ID.

Promoting physical activity through exergaming in young adults with intellectual disabilities: a pilot study

Various health problems of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are associated with their physical inactivity. The present study aimed at the understanding of physiological and psychological responses toward exergaming in seven young adults with mild to moderate ID after a single-session and a multiple-session condition, respectively. Their heart rate (HR), the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES) were measured on control and exergaming sessions. The significant increased HR, which may represent the increased physical activity levels that led to energy expenditure, was observed after a single-session and a multiple-session condition. In addition, the significant increase in RPE and PACES were evident after a single-session condition but a multiple-session condition. The feeling of physical fatigue seems to be distracted by external motivators (e.g. music). However, the positive affectivity to exercise was not noted when exercise was scheduled as their daily routines. This phenomenon might explain the high prevalence of physical inactivity among this population.