Health and fitness indicators of individuals with intellectual disabilities in China: Performance differences among disability levels. Issue 2 (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Lei; Zhu, Xihe; Haegele, Justin A.; Wang, Dandan; Wu, Xueping
• Is Part Of: Journal of intellectual & developmental disability. Volume 45:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 158
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Disability severity -- mental retardation -- blood pressure -- lung capacity -- physical fitness; Learning disabilities -- Periodicals; Developmental disabilities -- Periodicals; Mental retardation -- Periodicals; 362.1968
• DOI: 10.3109/13668250.2019.1591942
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1366-8250

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Limited research has examined health and fitness indicators among individuals with different categories of intellectual disabilities (ID). The purpose of this brief report was to examine differences in health and physical fitness indicators among individuals with different levels of ID. Method : Individuals ( n = 203) with mild, moderate, and severe ID completed a health and fitness screening. The health screening included blood pressure and lung capacity. Fitness measures were body composition, balance, and strength. We conducted multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) to examine level differences, controlling for age and gender. Results : Individuals with severe ID had significantly lower lung capacity than those with moderate ID, who had lower than those with mild ID. Individuals with mild ID had significantly higher handgrip strength than those with moderate ID, who had higher strength than those with severe ID. Conclusions : Lung capacity and handgrip strength are sensitive health and physical fitness risk markers for ID levels in China.