Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the physical fitness level among student with intellectual disabilities (ID) and normal students. A total of 45 students that consist of ID students (n = 25) and 20 normal students (n = 20) from an integrated school were recruited voluntarily. The instruments used in the study are the handgrip test for muscular strength, sit-up and push-up test for muscular endurance, sit and reach test for flexibility, and AAHPERD shuttle run test for agility. The mean height and weight for the ID and normal student were 1.54 ± 6.01 m and 47.7 ± 8.15 kg, respectively. The mean value for sit and reach for student with ID was 9.2 ± 2.6 cm; handgrip (right) test was 21.9 ± 5.8 kg, handgrip (left) was 20.7 ± 4.8 kg, the sit-up test was 24.6 ± 8.6, the push-up was 20.7 ± 8.1, and for the shuttle run test was 9.2 ± 2.1 s. As anticipated, the normal students have demonstrated better physical fitness when compared to ID students. The present study findings reveal that the physical fitness level is almost similar to normal student; however, more attention and care must be given to the ID student with respect to health and normal growth development. Thus, more studies among ID individuals are required to better understanding on their physical performance and with such study; it will help the health care professional and special education teachers to formulate, design, and implement a well-structured physical fitness program for students with ID.
Published Version
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