Association between physical activity levels and physical fitness in people with intellectual disabilities: Controlling for sex, age, and disability level.

BACKGROUND

To evaluate associations between physical activity levels and specific components of physical fitness in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID).

METHOD: Sixty-two adults with mild to moderate ID (29 females) participated. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers, body composition with InBody-230, postural control through center of pressure displacement, and strength through a Functional Electromechanical Dynamometer.

RESULTS

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was positively associated with maximal static strength (r = 0.425-0.550), dynamic strength-endurance (r = 0.310-0.421), and negatively with postural sway (r = -0.361 to -0.368). Light activity was also positively associated with lower-body dynamic strength-endurance (r = 0.292-0.429) and swing length (r = -0.277), while sedentary time was negatively associated with maximal static strength (r = -0.319 to -0.323), dynamic strength-endurance (r = -0.322 to -0.486), and positively with swing length (r = 0.283).

CONCLUSIONS

Promoting MVPA and reducing sedentary time may help support key components of physical fitness in people with ID.