Poor physical fitness of adolescents with mental retardation at Rajanukul School, Bangkok.

OBJECTIVE

To study the physical condition of adolescents with mild to moderate mental retardation (MR), twenty-eight MR students from Rajanukul school were evaluated for their fitness components compared to 14 normal students.

METHOD: Per cent body fat (%BF) was calculated from three sites of skinfold thickness. The cardiorespiratory endurance was assessed using graded exercise testing and Quinton gas analyzer. Isometric leg strength was measured with dynamometer, and flexibility was measured by sit and reach test.

RESULTS

Compared between MR and normal subjects, %BF was higher in the MR group without statistic significance. Five MR females had %BF > 30. The mean VO2peak was about 70 per cent of normal. The leg strength and flexibility were very poor.

CONCLUSION

The MR adolescents had a significantly lower level of physical fitness and more prevalence of obesity than normal students. Appropriate physical activities should be emphasized for health promotion and disease prevention.