Effects of a Progressive Adapted Physical Education Program on Muscular Strength and Endurance in Adolescents With Mild Intellectual Disability

NCT07599033 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: INU-APE-MID-2026Inonu University Institutional
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 46
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a 10-week progressive adapted physical education program on muscular strength and muscular endurance in adolescents with mild intellectual disability. Physical inactivity and reduced physical fitness are common among adolescents with intellectual disabilities and may negatively affect functional independence, health, and quality of life. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group participated in a structured adapted physical education program in addition to their regular school activities, while the control group continued their usual curriculum without additional exercise intervention. The program was implemented progressively over 10 weeks and included activities designed to improve upper-body strength, lower-body strength, core endurance, and overall muscular fitness. Before and after the intervention period, participants completed physical fitness assessments evaluating muscular strength and endurance. The aim of this study was to determine whether a progressive adapted physical education program could improve physical fitness outcomes in adolescents with mild intellectual disability.

Conditions

Intellectual Disability, Mild; Muscular Strength

Keywords

Adapted Physical Education; Mild Intellectual Disability; Muscular Strength; Muscular Endurance; Adolescents; Exercise; Intervention; Randomized Controlled Trial

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Upper-Body Muscular Strength

  Upper-body muscular strength will be assessed using the modified push-up test. The total number of correctly completed repetitions will be recorded as the outcome measure.

  Baseline and 10 weeks

• Lower-Body Muscular Strength

  Lower-body muscular strength will be assessed using the standing long jump test. Jump distance will be measured in centimeters.

  Baseline and 10 weeks

• Muscular Endurance

  Muscular endurance will be assessed using the sit-up test. The total number of correctly completed repetitions within 30 seconds will be recorded.

  Baseline and 10 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Progressive Adapted Physical Education

EXPERIMENTAL

A structured 10-week adapted physical education program designed to improve muscular strength and muscular endurance in adolescents with mild intellectual disability.

Behavioral: Progressive Adapted Physical Education Program

Usual Curriculum Control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in the control group continued their usual school curriculum without additional exercise intervention.

Interventions

Progressive Adapted Physical Education Program BEHAVIORAL

A structured 10-week progressive adapted physical education program designed to improve muscular strength and muscular endurance in adolescents with mild intellectual disability. The intervention included exercises targeting upper-body strength, lower-body strength, trunk endurance, and general muscular fitness in addition to regular school activities.

Progressive Adapted Physical Education

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Adolescents diagnosed with mild intellectual disability
• Participants enrolled in special education programs
• Ability to participate in physical activity assessments and exercise sessions
• Written informed consent obtained from parents or legal guardians

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of orthopedic, neurological, or cardiovascular conditions preventing participation in exercise
• Severe behavioral problems limiting participation in assessments or training sessions
• Participation in another structured exercise program during the study period
• Failure to complete baseline or post-intervention assessments

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Inonu University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Inonu University, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Physical Education and Sport on Disabilities

Malatya, Battalgazi, 44280, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Intellectual Disability; Lymphoma, Follicular; Motor Activity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin; Lymphoma; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Lymphatic Diseases; Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases; Immunoproliferative Disorders; Immune System Diseases; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Due to the nature of the exercise intervention, blinding of participants and investigators was not feasible.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor, Faculty of Sport Sciences

Model Details: Participants were randomly assigned to either a progressive adapted physical education intervention group or a usual curriculum control group for 10 weeks.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 14, 2026
• First Posted: May 20, 2026
• Study Start: January 5, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 16, 2026
• Study Completion: March 16, 2026
• Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)