Effectiveness of an adapted physical activity intervention on health-related physical fitness in adolescents with intellectual disability: a randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to examine the effects of an adapted physical activity (APA) intervention on health-related physical fitness (HRPF) in adolescents with intellectual disability (ID). With a randomized controlled trial design, adolescents aged 12-18 years, with mild and moderate ID, and being overweight and obese were recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group. The APA intervention consisted of overall moderate intensity aerobic and resistance exercise, with a duration of 45 min/session, a frequency of 2 sessions/week, and lasting for 9 months. A negative control was involved, in which participants received no treatment. Changes in four fitness tests, including the 9-min run/walk, handgrip strength, 30-s sit-ups, and sit-and-reach tests, were assessed between the groups using general linear models. A total of 57 participants (39 in the intervention group and 18 in the control group) completed the study. Significant mean differences in changes in the 9-min run/walk test (413.6 m [95% CI 146.72 m, 680.41 m], p = 0.003) and the right-side sit-and-reach test (2.2 cm [95% CI 0.37 cm, 4.09 cm], p = 0.020) respectively were observed in the intervention group, compared to the control group. No significant between-group improvement was observed for the handgrip strength and the 30-s sit-ups tests. The APA intervention induced beneficial effects on cardiorespiratory fitness and potential beneficial effects on flexibility for adolescents with ID. However, no significant effects of this intervention on muscular strength and endurance were observed in this study. Future studies should consider involving effective exercises in interventions to improve muscular strength and endurance.

Hypertension and Associated Risk Factors among Children with Intellectual Disability: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To investigate the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in Chinese children with intellectual disability, a cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of 558 children with intellectual disability aged 6-18 years in Hong Kong, and 452 (81.0%) with valid data were included in the data analysis. Blood pressure was measured according to a standard protocol. Hypertension was defined using the age-, gender-, and height-specific classification criteria recommended by the 2018 Chinese Guidelines for Children. Multivariate and hierarchical logistic regression was fitted to examine the associations of hypertension with potential risk factors. Overall, 31.4% of the participants were classified as having hypertension. Obese children were more likely to develop hypertension than non-obese children (adjusted OR = 2.77, 95% CI: 1.28, 5.99, p = 0.010). A paternal education of college or above and a paternal occupation of clerks, sales representatives, and workers were also associated with an increased risk of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension is high among Chinese children with intellectual disability. Obesity was the strongest risk factor. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm our findings. Nevertheless, preventions against obesity are promising to receive doubled benefits in reducing both obesity and hypertension, given its strong relationship with hypertension in this special population.

Sprint cycling training improves intermittent run performance.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of sprint cycling training on the intermittent run performance, sprinting speed, and change of direction (COD) ability of recreational intermittent sports athletes. METHODS: Sixteen participants participated in the study. The experimental group (EG, n = 8) received a total of 12 sessions of sprint cycling training in a 4-week period and the control group (CG, n = 8) received no training. Both EG and CG were instructed to maintain their daily activity during the 4-week period. Each sprint cycling session consisted of 4-7 sets of 30 s all-out sprint cycling. RESULTS: EG significantly improved in Yo Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (13.4% vs 2.4%,p = 0.006, Effect Size (ES): 0.31 vs 0.04), VO2max (7.8% vs -0.2%, p = 0.006, ES: 0.42 vs 0.00), and power output at VO2max (9.8% vs -4.8%, p = 0.002, ES: 0.91 vs 0.32) compared to CG while no significant changes were found in 30 m sprint times and pro-agility times in both EG and CG. CONCLUSIONS: Sprint cycling significantly improved intermittent run performance, VO2max and peak power output at VO2max. Sprint cycling training is suitable for intermittent sports athletes but separate speed and COD training should be included.

Power and endurance in Hong Kong professional football players.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the power and endurance characteristics of Hong Kong professional football players. Training recommendations can be deduced based on the comparison between Hong Kong and international football players. METHODS: Eighty-eight Hong Kong professional football players (height, 177.2 ± 6.4 cm; weight, 70.6 ± 7.6 kg; age, 25.6 ± 5.0 years) in the first division league participated in a battery of tests, which included: (1) height, (2) weight, (3) countermovement jump, (4) 30-m sprinting, and (5) Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2. RESULTS: Compared with the test results of the first division players in other countries as reported in the literature (Norway, France, and Scandinavian countries), Hong Kong players were shorter in height (0.1-2.1%), lighter in weight (5.5-8.3%), fair in vertical jump height (-4.8-17%), slower in acceleration (4.2-5.1%) and maximum speed (3-14.2%), and had poorer aerobic and anaerobic endurance (22.9%). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that Hong Kong football players (or players with similar physique and ability) need to improve their power and endurance.