Efficacy of adapted physical activity in subject with mental retardation institutionalized

From some years in the Fondazione is developed a regular APA for institutionalized subjects with mental retardation with a systematic estimation of the effectiveness of regular physical activity in terms of improving quality of life, physical performance and muscular mass. All the subjects are periodically submitted to multidimensional assessment, physical examination, functional status (Barthel Index and Lawton Scale for instrumental activities of daily living), risk of fall (Tinetti Scale), affective-cognitive status, the behavioural symptoms (Neuropsychiatry Inventory) and status of health (Severity Index and Comorbility Index of Cumulative Illness Rating Scales). We measure also the biceps and calf circumference and the physical performance are assessed by Walking Test (WT 6 minutes). The subjects involved, carry on intense physical activity ninety minutes twice a week in a gymnasium equipped with supervision of a teacher ISEF. Nursing home physician and teacher ISEF were agreed on the personal program for every participant. For every subject was created a personalized card of work. Monthly the physician and the teacher ISEF verify the performances of subjects. Our activity show that continuous physical exercise is a basic element in order to guarantee psycho-physical well-being to institutionalized patients The results reached to all today have allowed us to increase the base of the frequenting ones and to plan programs of widened AP A. Some studies are in progress on groups of patients submitting the subjects to a series of evaluations with the execution of anthropometric and functional measures more detailed in comparison to how much already realized; adopting new tools (utensils for the mobilization personalized) and experimenting new strategies to improve the learning of the motor (memory training) gesture.