Comparison of the Quality of Life and Physical Fitness in Males and Female Athletes with Intellectual Disability Participating in Iranian Special Olympics

Document Type : Original article

Authors

1 MSc of Sport Injuries & Corrective Exercise,Department of Sport injury and Corrective Exercise, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Injuries & Corrective Exercise, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

3 Masters of Sport Injuries & Corrective Exercise, Faculty of physical education and sport science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

4 PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Injuries & Corrective Exercise, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

5 PhD. of Sport Injuries & Corrective Exercise and Professor, Faculty of physical education and sport science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aims: People with Intellectual Disability are a vulnerable social group whose physical health is also important. The purpose of the present study was to compare quality of life and physical fitness in male and female athletes with Intellectual Disability participating in Iranian Special Olympics.
Materials and Methods: The research sample included 126 individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: 70 males with Intellectual Disability with and without Down Syndrome and 56 females with Intellectual Disability without Down Syndrome, aged 18 to 30 years participating in Iranian Special Olympics. As for assess, a set of Eurofit Special tests, including explosive leg strength (standing broad jump), arm strength (pushing a 2 kg ball), abdominal muscle endurance (Sit-up), speed (20 meter run), flexibility (sit and reach), and balance (walk on a bench) for physical fitness, and Schalock’s and Keith’s Quality of Life Questionnaire for quality of life were used. To compare the two groups, SPSS software was used running independent T-test and Mann-Whitney U statistical methods at the significance level of =α0/05.
Results: There was a significant difference in variables Competence/Productivity (P=0.010), Empowerment/Independence (P=0.001), total score of the Quality of Life (P=0.037), body mass index (P=0.008), abdominal muscle endurance (P=0.010), speed (P=0.001), and arm strength (P=0.001) between males with Intellectual Disability with Down Syndrome and females with Intellectual Disability, and also Competence/Productivity (P=0.036), Empowerment/Independence (P=0.001), total score of the Quality of Life (P=0.021), flexibility (P=0.003), balance (P=0.001), speed (P=0.001), and arm strength (P=0.001) between males with Intellectual Disability without Down Syndrome and females with Intellectual Disability.
Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that male athletes with Intellectual Disability have higher quality of life and physical fitness than females with intellectual disability. As for the little information on this issue, it is necessary to examine more accurately the content of programs of the Iranian Special Olympics.

Keywords

References

  1. Blomqvist S. Postural balance, physical activity and capacity among young people with intellectual disability. [Doctoral dissertation]. Sweden: Physiotherapy, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå University; 2013.##
  2. Pratt HD, Greydanus DE. Intellectual Disability (Mental Retardation) in Children and Adolescents. Prim Care Clin Office Pract. 2007;34(2):375–86. ##
  3. Salehzadeh K, Esrafilzadeh S. Effects of an Eight-Week Pilates Exercise Program on Some Physical Fitness Factors and Kinetic Performance in Girl Students with Intellectual Disability. J Res Rehabil Sci. 2016;12(5):259-66. [In Persian] ##
  4. estana MB, Barbieri FA, Vitório R, Figueiredo GA, Mauerberg-deCastro E. Effects Of Physical Exercise For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review. J Phys Educ. 2018;29:1-16. ##
  5. Mohammadi F. Physical Fitness Profile of Students with Intellectual Disability with Emphasize on IQ & Gender. [Doctoral dissertation]. Tehran: Faculty of physical education, University of Tehran; 2014. [In Persian] ##
  6. Asonitou K, Mpampoulis TI-P, Helen  , Koutsouki D. Effects of an Adapted Physical Activity Program on Physical Fitness of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Advances in Physical Education. 2018;8(3):321-36. ##
  7. \Tint A, Thomson K, Weiss JA. A systematic literature review of the physical and psychosocial correlates of Special Olympics participation among individuals with intellectual disability. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2016;61(4):301-24. ##
  8. Wallander JL, Schmitt M, Koot HM. Quality of Life Measurement in Children and Adolescents: Issues, Instruments, and Applications. J Clin Psychol. 2001;57(4):571–85. ##
  9. Salaun L, Berthouze-Aranda SE. Physical Fitness and Fatness in Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2012;25(3):231–9. ##

10. Rintala P, Asunta P, Lahti J, Michael Loovis E. Physical fitness of individuals with intellectual disability who have Special Olympics experience. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity. 2016;9(2):13–9. ##

11. Cuesta-Vargas AI, Paz-Lourido B, Rodriguez A. Physical fitness profile in adults with intellectual disabilities: Differences between levels of sport practice. Res Dev Disabil. 2011;32(2):788–94. ##

12. Walsh D, Belton S, Meegan S, Bowers K, Corby D, Staines A, et al. A comparison of physical activity, physical fitness levels, BMI and blood pressure of adults with intellectual disability, who do and do not take part in Special Olympics Ireland programmes: Results from the SOPHIE study. J Intellect Disabil. 2017; 22(2):1-17. ##

13. Guidetti L, Franciosi E, Gallotta MC, Emerenziani GP, Baldari C. Could sport specialization influence fitness and health of adults with mental retardation? Res Dev Disabil. 2010;31(5):1070–5. ##

14. Guðmundsdóttir MB. Quality of life among Icelandic people with intellectual disabilities: Exploring positive characteristics. [Doctoral dissertation]. Iceland: reykjavik university; 2015.  ##

15. Xanthopoulos MS, Walega R, Xiao R, Prasad D, Pipan MM, Zemel BS, et al. Caregiver-Reported Quality of Life in Youth with Down Syndrome. J Pediatr. 2017;189(1):98-104. ##

16. Townsend-White C, Pham ANT, Vassos MV. A systematic review of quality of life measures for people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviours. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2012;56(3):270–84. ##

17. Schalock RL, Bonhamb GS, Verdugo MA. The conceptualization and measurement of quality of life: Implications for program planning and evaluation in the field of intellectual disabilities. Eval Program Plann. 2008;31(2):181–90. ##

18. Bartlo P, Klein PJ. Physical Activity Benefits and Needs in Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: Systematic Review of the Literature. Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2011;116(3):220-32. ##

19. Dowling S, Hassan D, McConkey R, Breslin G. Examining the relationship between physical activity and the health and well-being of people with intellectual disability: A literature review. Northern Irland: UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER; 2012. ##

20. Haradaa CM, Sipersteinb GN, Parkerb RC, Lenox D. Promoting social inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities through sport: Special Olympics International, global sport initiatives and strategies. Sport Soc. 2011;14(9):1131–48. ##

21. Cocks E, Thoresen SH, Ai Lim Lee E. Pathways to Employment and Quality of Life for Apprenticeship and Traineeship Graduates with Disabilities. Int J Disabil Dev Educ. 2015;62(4):422-37. ##

22. Ghassemi Meimandi M. investigation of quality of life questtionnaire in educable mental retarded adultsin yazd. [M.S dissertation]. Tehran: educational sciences and psychology, allameh tabatabaee; 2013. [In Persian] ##

23. Skowro´nski W, Horvat M, Nocera J, Roswal G, Croce R. Eurofit Special: European Fitness Battery Score Variation Among Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities. Adapt Phys Activ Q. 2009;26(1):54-67. ##

24. Foley JT, Lloyd M, Temple VA. Body Mass Index Trends Among Adult U.S. Special Olympians, 2005–2010. Adapt Phys Activ Q. 2013;30(4):373-86. ##

25. Schalock Rl, Bartnik E, Wu F, Konig A, Lee C-S, S R. An International Perspective on Quality of Life: Measurement and Use. American Association on Menial Retardation. 1990. ##

26. Carmeli E, Barak S, Morad M, Kodesh E. Physical exercises can reduce anxiety and improve quality of life among adults with intellectual disability. INT SPORTMED J. 2009;10(2):77 - 85. ##

27. Marks B, Sisirak J, Heller T, Wagner M. Evaluation of Community-Based Health Promotion Programs for Special Olympics Athletes. J Policy Pract Intellect Disabil. 2010;7(2):119–29. ##

28. Bukhala P, Onywera V, Toriola AL, Onagbiye SO. Assessment of Physical Fitness Status of Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities Participating in Special Olympics Programs in Nairobi County, Kenya. J Hum Ecol. 2017;59(2-3):148-55. ##

29. Shields N, Taylor NF, Fernhall B. A study protocol of a randomised controlled trial to investigate if a community based strength training programme improves work task performance in young adults with Down syndrome. BioMed Central, J Physiother. 2010;10(1):10-7. ##

30. Allen L. Physical Activity And Special Olympics Participation In Indviduals With Down Syndrome. Texas: Department of Kinesiology Texas Christian, University Fort Worth; 2015. ##

The Scientific Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
Volume 8, Issue 4
January 2020
Pages 82-91

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 05 May 2019
  • Revise Date: 11 May 2019
  • Accept Date: 13 May 2019
  • First Publish Date: 22 December 2019

Share

How to cite

Statistics