Effects of a minimally supervised exercise program for mentally retarded adults

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Authors
Pitetti, Kenneth H.
Tan, Daphne M.
Advisors
Issue Date
1991-05
Type
Article
Keywords
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 1991 May; 23(5): 594-601.
Abstract

Previous exercise studies that attempted to improve the cardiovascular fitness (CVF) of mentally retarded (MR) adults were flawed with methodological shortcomings that prevented conclusive results. At issue in these training studies were fitness test validity and reliability, exactness of duration and intensity of training, and an inordinate amount of supervision. Therefore, we sought to determine whether moderately MR adults (seven males, five females; IQ = 61 +/- 3, age = 25 +/- 3 yr) could improve their CVF through a minimally supervised 16-wk training program. Each subject repeated exercise tests twice on two different modes of exercise, the treadmill (TM) and Schwinn Air-Dyne ergometer (SAE), before training to ensure validity and reliability of initial CVF levels. Intensity and frequency of exercise were closely monitored. An observer was present during the training bouts, but, following initial instructions, no additional encouragement or instructions were given. Although the training program significantly increased peak VO2 (29.2 +/- 8 to 33.5 +/- 9 ml.kg-1.min-1) and peak ventilation (73 +/- 26 to 81 +/- 231.min-1) when assessed on the TM, significant changes in these same parameters were not seen when assessed on the SAE. The importance of these results was discussed.

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The full text of this article is not available in SOAR. Check the journal record http://libcat.wichita.edu/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=368173 for the paper version of the article in the library.
Publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Journal
Book Title
Series
Medicine and Science In Sports and Exercise
Med Sci Sports Exerc
PubMed ID
DOI
ISSN
0195-9131
EISSN