Effects Of Physical Activity Intervention On Health-related Physical Fitness Of Boys With Moderate To Severe Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of 16 weeks physical activity intervention on health-related physical fitness (HRPF) in boys with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities (ID). METHODS: A total of 26 boys with moderate to severe ID aged 9 to 13 years was recruited in this study, with 14 for the experimental group and 12 for the control group, separately. The experimental group received 16 weeks supervised physical activity intervention (locomotor and object control skills training) for a frequency of 45 mins each day and 3 days per week, while the control group was informed to maintain their original lifestyle. The outcome of HRPF involves body flexibility (sit and reach), muscular strength (handgrip), cardiopulmonary fitness (20 m PACER), and muscular endurance (sit-up). Baseline data were analyzed with an independent t-test to determine if an initial difference existed between the groups. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measure was used to analyze the intervention effects. RESULTS: There were no significant difference between the two groups at baseline in HRPF. For sit and reach ANOVA did not show a significant interaction effect (time x group) (F(1,24) = .394, p = .536,η2 = .016). For handgrip ANOVA showed a significant interaction effect (time x group) (F(1,24) = 8.098, p = .009,η2 = .252) and the EG have a significantly higher handgrip compare to CG at the post measure (preEG:13.81 ± 4.86, postEG = 19.32 ± 5.61; PreCG = 13.43 ± 3.92, postCG = 14.54 ± 6.54). For sit-up ANOVA showed a significant interaction effect (time x group) (F(1,24) = 13.416, p = .001,η2 = .359) and the EG have a significantly higher sit-up compare to CG at the post measure (preEG:13.36 ± 1.18, postEG = 20.42 ± 1.39; PreCG = 13.83 ± 1.28, postCG = 16.91 ± 1.50). For PACER ANOVA showed a significant interaction effect (time x group) (F(1,24) = 12.826, p = .002,η2 = .348) and the EG have a significantly higher PACER compare to CG at the post measure (preEG:17.29 ± 1.08, postEG = 27.29 ± 1.49; PreCG = 17.75 ± 1.17, postCG = 20.08 ± 1.61). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that 16 weeks physical activity intervention could have a positive effect on HRPF for children with moderate to severe ID. Future studies maybe should focus on individualized physical activity intervention for children with single level of ID.