To determine the effect of a therapeutic exercise program on functional physical capacity in persons with intellectual disabilities.

A quasi-experimental study was conducted with a final sample of 24 adults with intellectual disabilities, aged between 24 and 60 years old, which was randomized into an experimental group (11 men and 6 women) and a control group (6 men and 1 woman). Functional fitness was assessed before a therapeutic exercise program, 10 weeks immediately after the program, and 6 months after the end of it.

On comparing the results obtained in the pre-intervention and post-intervention period from the two groups, it was observed that the group that the therapeutic exercises had better scores (P < .01) than the control group on the variables: aerobic endurance, leg strength, arm strength, agility, and coordination. On comparing the results obtained inthe pre-intervention period with those at 6 months after completion of the program, the group that performed exercise therapy continued to show better scores (P < .05) in leg strength, arm strength and aerobic endurance, compared to the control group.

The application of a ten-week therapeutic exercise program, improved scores on the variables of functional fitness, measured by the Senior Fitness Test, in adults with intellectual disabilities. The effect of the intervention program has a duration of less than 6 months, a period after which the scores returned to baseline.