Aerobic Exercise Responses and Blood Pressure Measurement of Individuals with Intellectual Disability in Ibadan

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. 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. Data were analysed using Analysis of Covariance, Analysis of Variance and Scheffe post-hoc test. There were significant differences in the physiological variables of systolic blood pressure (F _{(2, 62) =} 15.3; p < 0.05), between the experimental and control groups. Therefore continuous exercise for the intellectually disabled individuals should be an integral part of the physical education curriculum.

Key words: Intellectual disability, Quality of life, Physiological parameters