Effects of a Progressive Resistance Exercise Program on Isokinetic Leg Strength of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
Creators: name: Jônatas De França Barros
name: Raulino, Andréa Glaucy Davi
name: Lima, Ricardo Moreno
name: Souza, Silvia Emanoella Silva Martins De
name: Magalhães, Guilherme Lins De
name: Silva, André Ribeiro Da
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2016

description: <strong>Introduction</strong>: Muscle strength is an essential variable for maintaining independence and quality of life. Reduced muscle strength strength is the main cause of impaired functional capacity of the individual with intellectual disabilities (ID). <strong>Objectives:</strong> To examine the effects of a resistance training (RT) program on knee extensors and flexors isokinetic peak torque (PT) in individuals with ID. <strong>Methods:</strong> A total of 40 subjects with ID (age 14-36 years) took part in this quasi-experimental study, who were assigned into experimental group (n = 20, 22.8 ± 6.3 years) and control group (n = 20, 20.9 ± 3.1 years). Experimental group followed a 12-week RT program, twice a week. All volunteers underwent knee extensors and flexors PT measurements using an isokinetic dynamometer before and after the intervention period. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and significance level was set at p&lt;0.05. <strong>Results:</strong> For right knee extension, ANOVA revealed a significant time*group interaction (p=0.03). In addition, it was noted significant increase in isokinetic peak torque for the exercised group (p=0.004) while it was not observed in the control group (p=0.958). For isokinetic knee flexion, although it was not observed significant time*group interaction (p=0.306), significant pre to post increase in the exercised group was noted (p=0.031) that was not observed in the control group (p=0.441). <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Twelve weeks of RT induces significant increases in knee extensors and flexors isokinetic muscle strength in individuals with ID. These findings may be important for health professionals involved in rehabilitation, sports performance or quality of life for individuals with ID. 

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