Effects of Two Intervention Programs on Physical Fitness and Quality of Life Among People With Intellectual Disabilities

NCT07576933 | Enrolling By Invitation

• 1 other identifier: UCMurcia-
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 31
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Intellectual Disability (ID) is characterized by limitations in cognitive functioning and adaptive behavior, often leading to a sedentary lifestyle and lower quality of life. The main objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of two different 8-week training programs on physical fitness and quality of life in adults with ID. The work methodology consists of a randomized controlled trial with two intervention groups: Experimental Group 1 (EG1): Traditional conditioning including strength and resistance exercises (medicine ball, rowing, and coordination circuits). Experimental Group 2 (EG2): Sport-based individual skills program (Special Olympics model) covering soccer, basketball, athletics, and other sports with a playful approach. The sample will be composed of sedentary adults with a clinical diagnosis of ID. The variables studied pre- and post-intervention include body composition, physical fitness (agility, strength, and cardiorespiratory capacity), blood pressure, and quality of life using the INICO-FEAPS scale.

Conditions

Intellectual Disabilities

Keywords

intellectual disability; sport-based program; traditional training; physical condition; quality of life

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Changes in Time Up and Go from baseline at week 8

  The subject must stand up from a chair, walk to a mark 3 meters away, and return to the starting position while sitting down as quickly as possible; they will have two attempts.

  Two times. Baseline and 8 weeks later.

Secondary Outcomes (16)

• Changes in Sit and Reach from baseline at week 8

  Two times. Baseline and 8 weeks later

• Changes in Hand Grip from baseline at week 8

  Two times. Baseline and 8 weeks later

• Changes in Sit-ups in 30 seconds from baseline at week 8

  Two times. Baseline and 8 weeks later

• Changes in 6-minute walk from baseline at week 8

  Two times. Baseline and 8 weeks later

• Changes in 10 squats from baseline at week 8

  Two times. Baseline and 8 weeks later

Study Arms (2)

Experimental: Traditional training

EXPERIMENTAL

The traditional fitness program will consist of a structured exercise regimen. This experimental group will participate in two intervention sessions per week, each lasting 60 minutes. The sessions are structured as follows: a 5-minute warm-up, including joint mobility exercises; 45 minutes for the main training phase, focused on strength and endurance through specific exercises (medicine ball squats, thrusters, seated band rows, bench presses, and load carries) and a coordination circuit; and, finally, a 5-minute cool-down. The intensity will be moderate, monitored by the researchers, starting with low loads and increasing the duration of the exercise linearly from 60 to 90 seconds over the course of the 8 weeks.

Behavioral: Traditional physical conditioning

Experimental: Sport-based skills

EXPERIMENTAL

The sport-based skills program will apply a session structure based on the Special Olympics individual skills model. This experimental group will perform 2 intervention sessions per week with a duration of 60 minutes each. The sessions follow a sports-specific block structure (soccer, basketball, floorball, athletics, and boccia) with 3 sessions per sport. Each session includes: 5 to 10 minutes of a preparatory warm-up game related to the specific sport; 45 minutes for the main phase focusing on technical skills progression (aiming, dribbling, shooting, and coordination) through a playful and challenge-based approach; the final minutes of each block will include real-game situations. The duration of the program will be 8 weeks.

Behavioral: Sport-based individual skills

Interventions

Traditional physical conditioning BEHAVIORAL

The traditional multi-component training group will perform 60 minutes of training per session, 2 days a week for 8 weeks. The program includes: A 5-minute warm-up, which includes joint mobility exercises led by the instructor. A 45-minute main phase, which includes targeted endurance and strength training using a circuit-based approach. Exercises include medicine ball squats, medicine ball thrusters, seated resistance band rows, and chest presses. The circuit is completed once, and the duration of each exercise will increase linearly, starting with 60 seconds per station in week 1 and progressing to 90 seconds in week 8, with a fixed 1-minute rest between exercises. A 5-minute cool-down session that includes relaxation exercises.

Experimental: Traditional training

Sport-based individual skills BEHAVIORAL

The sports skills group will conduct 60-minute training sessions twice a week for 8 weeks, following the Special Olympics Individual Skills model. The sessions follow the same structure. A 5- to 10-minute warm-up consisting of a fun, sport-related game designed to increase heart rate and motivation. The main part lasts 45 minutes, during which different skills for each sport are practiced, such as shooting, passing, dribbling, and coordination. The sports covered are soccer, basketball, floorball, track and field, and boccia. There are 3 sessions per sport, following a progression of skill difficulty. The exercises have a playful approach, structured as challenges and competitions. At the end of each sport, a few minutes of real-game situations will be included among all participants. The 5-minute cool-down includes a low-intensity activity and group reflection on the session.

Experimental: Sport-based skills

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 37 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Have a clinically diagnosed intellectual disability
• Have not engaged in 150 minutes of physical activity per week over the past six months

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia: lead

Study Sites (1)

UCAM

Murcia, Murcia, 30107, Spain

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Intellectual Disability

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 4, 2026
• First Posted: May 8, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 26, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 26, 2026
• Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

ES (1)