The responsiveness of muscle strength tests in adults with intellectual disabilities.
S Weterings, A Oppewal, S M A Bierma-Zeinstra and 1 others
PMID 35481620WHAT IT FOUND
Most muscle strength tests did not track change after resistance training in adults with intellectual disabilities.
Only the 10RM seated squat test changed in line with training progress.
Key findings
01Only the 10RM seated squat change score showed significant correlations with training progression on the step up and seated squat.
02The programme progressed significantly on the step up, seated squat, biceps curl and triceps curl, with reported progression of 35%, 13%, 150% and 230%.
03Grip strength and the chair stand tests did not change significantly after the programme, but the 10RM seated squat and 10RM biceps curl did.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
Only participants who finished the resistance programme were analysed, so the results do not include those who dropped out. The sample was small and heterogeneous, so it may not represent adults with intellectual disabilities in other settings. The participants had cardiovascular risk factors, which may limit generalisability. Training progression was estimated from maximum strength calculations, and some participants changed exercises, so the modelled progression may not match actual strength change. Motivation, behaviour, and cognition could have affected how well participants performed tests and training. The tests can have large measurement error, which can make real change hard to detect.
Declared interests
The participating care organisations in the Netherlands funded the work, and the authors declared no conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the significant improvements on some tests as proof that those tests can monitor training progress. Most tests did not change in line with progression, and only the 10RM seated squat did.