Objective
To investigate the effectiveness of a novel and complex intervention in community-dwelling people with intellectual disabilities.
Methods
Forty-three participants completed the experiment. The subjects were randomly assigned the experimental (n=33) or control (n=10) groups. The multicomponent intervention program comprised exercise and nutrition management and behavior modification. The intervention was performed for 60 minutes once weekly for 10 weeks. The assessment included anthropometric data, body composition and blood pressure analysis, and blood tests. In addition, pulmonary function, physical function, and health-related quality of life were measured before and after the intervention.
Results
No adverse events occurred during the intervention. After the intervention, the experimental group showed a significantly higher increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level than did the control group (effect size=0.152, p=0.019).
Conclusion
This innovative intervention was effective in improving cardiovascular health. Even greater effects could be achieved through improvements in implementation strategies to increase compliance.

Citations

• The effect of a walking, dancing, and strength training program on the functional fitness of adults with intellectual disability: A randomised controlled trial
  E. Steyn, P.H. Boer, G. Joubert
  Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability.2024; 49(2): 186.     CrossRef
• Five-repetition sit-to-stand test validation in adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities
  Claudio Farías-Valenzuela, Catalina Shepherd-Shepherd, Paloma Ferrero-Hernández, Guillermo F. López-Sánchez, Sebastián Espoz-Lazo, Cristian Cofre-Bolados, Pablo del Val-Martín, Eduardo R. de Victo, Gerson Ferrari
  Scientific Reports.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Programas de Intervención Socioeducativos para Personas con Discapacidad Intelectual: una Revisión Sistemática
  Norma SALGADO-ORELLANA, Juan Francisco LAGOS-LUCIANO, Jorge ALARCÓN-LEIVA, Palmenia PINOCHET-QUIROZ, Francisco GÁLVEZ-GAMBOA
  Revista Brasileira de Educação Especial.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Effects of Multicomponent Physical Exercise Programs on Physical Fitness in People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review
  Claudio Farías-Valenzuela, Paloma Ferrero-Hernández, Gerson Ferrari, Cristian Cofre-Bolados, Sebastián Espoz-Lazo, Sebastián Álvarez-Arangua, Adilson Marques, Pedro Valdivia-Moral
  Sustainability.2022; 14(24): 16728.     CrossRef
• A Systematic Review of Health Promotion Programs to Improve Nutrition for People with Intellectual Disability
  Sarah Dean, Josephine Marshall, Erin Whelan, Jo Watson, Christina Zorbas, Adrian J. Cameron
  Current Nutrition Reports.2021; 10(4): 255.     CrossRef