Effects of endurance exercise and half-bath on body composition, cardiorespiratory system, and arterial pulse wave velocity in men with intellectual disabilities

• Published in: Journal of Physical Therapy Science Vol. 29; no. 7; pp. 1216 - 1218
• Main Author: Kim, Seung-Suk
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The Society of Physical Therapy Science 2017
• Subjects: Cardiorespiratory system; Half-bath; Intellectual disabilities; Original; Cardiorespiratory system; Half-bath; Intellectual disabilities
• ISSN: 0915-5287; 2187-5626
• DOI: 10.1589/jpts.29.1216

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of endurance exercise and half-bath on body composition, cardiorespiratory system, and arterial pulse wave velocity of men with intellectual disabilities. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-four men with intellectual disabilities, but capable of learning, were randomly assigned to aerobic exercise (N=8), half-bath (N=8), or control (N=8) treatment groups. Over the 12-week treatment period, the aerobic exercise group did treadmill and stationary bicycle. The half-bath treatment group was placed in a sitting position in a 39–40°C bath for 10 minutes. [Results] The aerobic exercise group showed a significant decrease in body fat than those in the half-bath and control groups. In addition, there was an increase in the respiratory system of the aerobic exercise group but no increase in the half-bath and control groups. The arterial pulse wave velocity change was greatest in the aerobic exercise group, but the half-bath group also showed a velocity change from that in the control group. [Conclusion] Aerobic exercise and a half-bath can have positive effects on improving body composition, respiratory system, and vascular function of people with intellectual disabilities.