Effects of Aerobic Exercise Programme on Quality of life of Intellectually Disabled Individuals in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

The benefits of physical activities are universal for all including those with intellectual disability. Individuals with intellectual disability are mostly neglected and hardly exercised. Hence, the opportunities for improved health and wellness are limited. Paucity of data that could guide ameliorative measures also presents another challenge. Therefore, this study examined the effects of aerobic exercise programme on quality of life and physiological parameters of intellectually disabled individuals in Ibadan.

Pretest-posttest, control group experimental design was adopted for the study. Participants were 65 individuals with intellectual disability drawn from four schools for the handicap in Ibadan, and were assigned into three experimental groups (Down syndrome, Autism and Cerebral palsy) and control group. The interval training programme was adopted for the study. This was administered three times a week for ten weeks. The instruments used were: comprehensive quality of life scale (importance, r = 0.74 and satisfaction, r = 0.73).  Hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data were analysed using Analysis of Covariance, Analysis of Variance.

Aerobic exercise programme improves the productivity (F _{(2, 62)} = 39.5; p < 0.05), intimacy (F _{(2, 62) =} 329.9; p < 0.05), and emotion (F _{(2, 62)} = 40.01; p < 0.05).  Aerobic exercise programme was effective in improving the quality of life of intellectually disabled individuals. Therefore, aerobic exercise programme should be an integral part of the physical education curriculum for the intellectually disabled individuals.

Key words: Intellectual disability, Aerobic exercise, quality of life.