The effects of a supervised resistance-training program on Special Olympics athletes.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of a resistance-training program on athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID).


METHODS
2-way (2 x 2), repeated-measures analysis of variance on 2 groups (males and females); 30 Special Olympics (SO) athletes, age 16-22 (16 males, 14 females). INTERVENTION/OUTCOME MEASURES: Resistance training, twice per week, for 3 months on Med-X weight equipment. Exercises tested: chest press, abdominal crunch, seated row, overhead press, seated dip, lower back extension, and biceps curl. The weight lifted and the number of repetitions performed were used to determine predicted 1-repetition max (1RM).


RESULTS
All participants as a group increased significantly in predicted 1RM for each exercise performed. Males were stronger than females for 5 of the 7 exercises. A significant interaction effect between genders was demonstrated for the seated dip.


CONCLUSIONS
Significant strength gains can be accomplished by adolescents with ID via a supervised resistance-training program.
Machek
Michael A
MA
Dept of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
Stopka
Christine B
CB
Tillman
Mark D
MD
Sneed
Suzanne M
SM
Naugle
Keith E
KE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D055070:Resistance Training; D013177:Sports; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult