Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Body Composition and Muscle Strength in Over-Weight to Obese Old Women with Intellectual Disability: A Pilot Study

Aim: To examine the effect of treadmill walking on over-weight to obese females with unspecified mild ID (intellectual disability). Method: Randomized assignment to an aerobic exercise group (G1, n = 6) and control group (G2, n = 3). The G1 performed mild to moderate intensity walking for 25-45 minutes per exercise session, 3-5 times per week up to a weekly walking of 150 minutes, for 32 consecutive weeks. The G2 maintained routine daily activities. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 57.2 ±7.5 year, BMI was significantly decreased at the conclusion of the intervention (P = 0.005). In the G1, the subcutaneous fat area was also significantly decreased (P = 0.005) but not in G2. No change was there in the visceral fat area of both groups. The quadriceps muscle maximal isometric muscle strength of the G1 and G2 did not change. Conclusion: Long term mild to moderate intensity of aerobic physical exercise for over-weight to obese women with ID is a feasible and effective plan in reducing subcutaneous fat mass, while muscle strength remains unchanged.