Physical Fitness and Body Composition among People with Mild Level Intellectually Impairment, with and without Additional Disabilities: A Cross-sectional Study

Background: Having an additional impairment similar to Down Syndrome (DS) might increase defects in motor development in people with intellectual impairments (II) and, therefore, affect their physical fitness and body composition. Thus, this study compared the physical fitness and body composition of people with II who did not have additional impairments with those who had additional impairment. 

Methods: This cross-sectional study included N= 272 young people with II, aged 18 to 30 (19.67 ± 2.66 years). According to Wechsler Intelligence Test, their IQ was in the range of 55 to 70. Participants were allocated purposefully to three different II groups, including II without additional disabilities (n= 90), II with DS (n= 89), and II with other disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy (CP), ADHD, Hydrocephaly, Microcephaly, Speech Disorders, or Behavioral Disorders (n= 93). Eurofit Battery Tests assessed physical fitness, and body composition was measured by Biospace (In Body 230). 

Results: The results of one-way ANOVA showed significant differences in all physical fitness factors among the three groups (P ≤ 0.05), except for the endurance of abdominal muscles (P= 0.463). There were significant differences in BMI, body fat percentage, and body fat mass among the three II groups (P≤0.05), but not in skeletal muscle mass nor in the waist to hip ratio (WHR) among groups (P>0.05). 

Conclusion: People with II who also have DS have the lowest physical fitness and exhibit a weaker body composition than their peers with other impairments or without additional impairment. Improving and maintaining physical fitness have to become a critical part of care and support for these people.