Resistance-training for Special Olympics athletes
 There were significant gains in strength, according to researchers at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
First, the details.
- 30 Special Olympics athletes (age 16-22 years) were studied.
- Exercise included supervised resistance training, twice per week for 3 months.
- Chest press
- Abdominal crunch
- Seated row
- Overhead press
- Seated dip
- Lower back extension
- Biceps curl
- The weight lifted and number of repetitions performed were used to determine predicted “1-repetition max” (1RM) — the maximum amount of weight one can lift in a single repetition.
And, the 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.
The bottom line?
Not surprisingly, “significant strength gains can be accomplished by adolescents with intellectual disabilities via a supervised resistance-training program.”
2/16/09 20:11 JR