Exercise & People with Disabilities

From the December, 2007, NCPAD Newletter:

Aerobic exercise has many physiological benefits, and recent research has provided evidence that it may also have beneficial effects on cognitive function, as was found in a sample of people with multiple sclerosis. Although not well-studied in the research literature, there is some evidence that aerobic dance can increase cardiovascular endurance in people with disabilities. Cluphf and colleagues (2001) found that a 12-week, 3-day-per-week, low-impact aerobic dance program significantly improved cardiovascular endurance and function in a group of 15 adults with intellectual disabilities as compared to a control group who did not exercise. The dance sessions began with a 5-minute stretching warm-up and then a 12-minute aerobic dance portion that was increased by 1 minute every session until participants were completing 30 minutes of continuous dance. The dance moves included marching, punching, and side-stepping in addition to movement to songs such as "The Twist," "The Swim," and "The Locomotion." The sessions ended with a 5- to 10-minute cool-down of slow movements and stretches. Participants in the aerobic dance program demonstrated cardiovascular endurance improvement in addition to improved speed during timed walking tests.

So, during this holiday season, as you are contemplating how you can begin an exercise program that will offer the ability to improve your health and decrease your risk for secondary conditions, consider forms of dance that, depending on music and choreography, can include creative, modern, and more traditional styles of dance. By customizing the type of dance you perform, you may be more likely to maintain this exercise because of the variety of options.

Reference:

Cluphf, D., O’Connor, J., & Vanin, S. (2001). Effects of aerobic dance on the cardiovascular endurance of adults with intellectual disabilities. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 18, 60-71.