Low cost physical fitness programs across the lifespan of individuals with intellectual and developmental disability: Improving cardio-vascular fitness, functional ability and muscle strength and reducing infirmary visitation

Background: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) too frequently maintain a sedentary life style, resulting in health harming consequences and early aging. Physical intervention programs have been suggested and implemented with this population in the past, mostly with success, but with extreme costs. The Interventions: The present chapter describes three low cost intervention programs for children and adults at different functional levels and intellectual ability. All programs have been implemented by volunteers trained and supervised by an experienced physical therapist. Project 1 - 15 children (Mean age: 7.9) diagnosed at a moderate-severe cognitive level, were trained daily on a treadmill for the duration of two month with significant improvements in aerobic capacity and functional ability. Project 2 - 17 ambulating adults (mean age: 42) diagnosed with moderate cognitive level, were trained twice weekly on a treadmill, for the duration of one year. Results were compared with a control group (n=17) matched for function, gender, age, and primary diagnosis and showed significant reduction in pulse at rest (p<0.05) and during exercise (p<0.001) only for the trained participants. A significant reduction was also observed in infirmary visitation (P<0.025) for the research group alone. Project 3 - 4 adults (mean age: 47.5) constant wheel chair users who have never walked, diagnosed with moderate cognitive level, were trained twice weekly on a four wheeled walker, for the duration of two month. Results were compared with a control participant (n=1) and showed significant reduction in pulse at rest (p<0.05) and during exercise (p<0.001) in muscle strength (p<0.001) and functional ability (p<0.01). Conclusions: The results of all three projects indicate that a low cost exercise program can yield extremely positive results in many areas that influence clients' health. The author suggests implementing such programs for individuals with IDD on a regular basis since childhood and across their lifespan. Further research is needed to examine the long term effect of such intervention programs on longevity, morbidity and mortality.