COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ANTROPOMETRIC AND PHYSICAL FITNESS INDEXES IN LIGHT AND MODERATE MENTAL HANDICAPPED 68

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the average of fat, agility, vertical jump and running speed between light mental handicapped(LMH) and moderate mental handicapped (MMH) male subjects. The tests were conducted in 37 LMH individuals and 37 MMH individuals in the same age and weight group. The following protocol was applied: 1) percent fat by skinfold measurements; 2) vertical jump determined by the sonar vertisonic apparatus; 3) agility; throught the shuttle run test; 4) running speed by 50 meters run time. Table The comparison between the groups show a significant difference in body fat, vertical jump and agility. The LMH group presented siginificantly lower percent body fat, and higher agility and vertical jump results, suggesting important physical differences associated to mental impairment.