None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Individuals with intellectual disability suffer terrible health inequities compared to their healthy peers. This can lead to more dependence on health services and serious diseases in adulthood, which ultimately reduces their lifespan. Physical activity and regular exercise training are important factors that manage the symptoms of and protect against many age-related chronic diseases. Notably, individuals with intellectual disability exhibit much less physical activity compared to the average population, even in childhood. Current exercise prescription guidelines for young people with intellectual disability are vague and effective strategies to engage them in physical activity are sparse. The purpose of this randomised controlled trial is to determine the influence of individualised strength and conditioning (IS&C) versus games-based training (GBT) on health-related components of fitness in young people with intellectual disability. Health-related components of fitness such as cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, body composition, balance, and agility will be assessed. Young people aged 12 to 17 years with an intellectual disability will be recruited from special schools in the local area (Ipswich, Queensland). Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: IS&C; GBT; or a wait-list control group. Participants in the two treatment groups will complete twice-weekly supervised exercise training under the guidance of exercise professionals for 8 weeks. The exercise training will be performed at the University of Southern Queensland in the hours after school. The results from this project will determine effectiveness of IS&C and GBT at improving important health-related components of fitness that are indicative of health status and the risk of age-related diseases in youth with intellectual disability. They will provide evidence to establish if the two different training formats lead to meaningful improvements in health markers in youth with intellectual disability, which will guide exercise prescription recommendations. They will also elucidate whether the exercise training interventions improve long-term adoption and adherence to physical activity participation.
Interventions
Arm 1: Individualised strength and conditioning (IS&C). Participants allocated to the IS&C group will complete one-on-one exercise training comprised of aerobic, resistance and flexibility training under the supervision of an exercise professional (30-45 minute sessions). Circuit training and interval training will be used for resistance and aerobic training, respectively. The exercise will be tailored to the participants physical abilities in terms of workload, complexity of exercises (single/d
Arm 1: Individualised strength and conditioning (IS&C). Participants allocated to the IS&C group will complete one-on-one exercise training comprised of aerobic, resistance and flexibility training under the supervision of an exercise professional (30-45 minute sessions). Circuit training and interval training will be used for resistance and aerobic training, respectively. The exercise will be tailored to the participants physical abilities in terms of workload, complexity of exercises (single/double joint, functional, etc.). Training sessions will be performed at light to high intensity training according to a modified Borg RPE (/10) and percentage of heart rate max. Training will be performed at twice a week for 8 weeks. Arm 2: Games-based training (GBT). Participants allocated to the GBT group will complete individual and small team-based games promoting physical activity and exercise. The training sessions will involve several short (5 to 10-min) games selected to provide different training stimuli (e.g. aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, coordination, strength, etc.) and will be time-matched to the IS&C group (30-45 minute sessions). An example of an individual game is 'ten-pin bowling', where the remaining pins are counted and exercises are prescribed based on a pre-assigned number (e.g. 1 = 10 push ups, 2 = 15 sit to stands, etc.). An example of a team based game is 'rob the nest'. Teams of 3-5 are assigned hula hoops approximately 15 m from a basket full of bean bags. The teams are instructed to perform different exercises prior to running to retrieve a bean bag and bringing it back to their hula hoop for safe keeping. There are many variations to this team-based game but this is an example. The GBT will include games performed at light to high intensity according to a modified Borg RPE (/10) and percentage of heart rate max. Training will be performed at twice a week for 8 weeks. Arm 3: Wait-list control. Individuals in the wait-list control will not receive a treatment (i.e. physical exercise training) during the intervention period (8 week period). Training intensity (% heart rate max) and workloads will be monitored using accelerometers and heart rate monitors. Session adherence will be monitored by an attendance checklist. The exercise training will be supervised and facilitated (in person) by exercise professionals, which will be conducted at the University of Southern Queensland Ipswich Campus (Ipswich, Queensland, Australia).
Sponsors
University of Southern Queensland
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
12 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Children and adolescents from 12 to 17 years of age; Diagnosed with an intellectual disability (an intellectual quotient <70); Free from cardiovascular disease and cancer; Free from any musculoskeletal impairments that would limit their ability to participate in exercise training (ambulant/able-bodied); Able to follow verbal instructions related to exercise testing and training.
Exclusion criteria
Children younger than 12 years and adults (18 years and older); Children and adolescents with a profound intellectual disability according to the DSM-5 criteria; Children and adolescents with behavioural problems that inhibit the successful completion of exercise testing or training; Children and adolescents currently taking medication for cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes or cancer.
Outcome results
None listed