Associations between Physical Fitness, Physical Activity Levels and Fatness in Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of obesity among adults with intellectual disability (AID) is significantly higher than in the general population. At present limited research has been done on the relationship between physical fitness (PF), objectively measured physical activity levels (PAL) and different markers of fatness in AID. PURPOSE: To examine associations between PF, PAL and fatness in AID. METHODS: An AID group (54 m/44 f; 44±12 y) were recruited from an Occupational Day Center. BMI, body fat percentage (BF%), fat free mass percentage (FFM%), waist (WC) and hip circumferences (HC) were obtained. VO2 peak was obtained during a metabolic treadmill test. GT3X Actigraph accelerometers were used to obtain total PA (TPA), steps per day (DS), time spent in sedentary (ST), light PA (LPA); moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). The timed up and go test (TUGT) to assess dynamic balance and gait speed was used. Handgrip (HG) and leg strength (LS) were also obtained. RESULTS: VO2 peak correlated with TPA (r=.421), DS (r=.318), VPA (r=.240), MVPA (r=.517), BF% (r=-.496), FFM% (r=.480), WC (r=-.445), HC (r=-.412), TUGT(r=-.363), HG (r=.435) and LS (r=.432). TPA and DS were correlated with HG (r=.348; r=.280) and LS (r=.294; r=.221). VPA was correlated with BF% (r=-.229) and FFM% (r=.218). MVPA was correlated HG (r=.347; r=.268), LS (r=.326) and TUGT (r=-.229). CONCLUSIONS: The present results show that high levels of PA are positively associated with PF. VPA, in particular, is associated with BF% and FFM% in AID. Future PA recommendations for AID should consider a particular emphasis on the amount of VPA when promoting PA. Partially supported by: MEC (Ref: DEP2012-35335) & AGAUR (Ref: 2013FI_B2 00091)Table 1: Physical fitness, physical activity levels and fatness data for AIDNote: values are mean (Standard Deviation)Abbreviations: BMI (body mass index); PA (physical activity); LPA (light physical activity); MPA (moderate physical activity); VPA (vigorous physical activity); MVPA (moderate to vigorous physical activity); HG (hand grip); TUGT(timed up and go test). * Significant correlation with relative VO2 peak (p < .05). ? Significant correlation with Total PA and Steps (p < .05). ‡ Significant correlation with VPA (p < .05). § Significant correlation with MVPA (p < .05).