title: Could sport specialization influence fitness and health of adults with mental retardation?
abstract: Although several studies showed the positive effects of exercise and physical activity on health and well-being for individuals with ID, there is a lack of information about the influence of sport specialization on fitness and health components. Therefore, the aims of this study were to assess: (a) physical fitness of athletes with intellectual disability (ID) compared with individuals included in recreational and leisure activity programs (non-athletic people); (b) contribution of sport specialization on athletes' fitness; and c) correlation of each fitness variable with subjects' ID levels. Twenty-two track and field, 19 basketball, and 23 non-athletic adults were recruited. Before and after a 9-month period, all participants performed fitness tests assessing body composition, flexibility (SR), arm muscular strength (HG), lower and upper-body muscular strength and endurance (SUP and PUP), explosive leg power (SLJ), cardiovascular endurance (ST), balance ability (FT), motor coordination (TUGT). The results showed that participants' weight, BMI and FT were significantly affected by time; SLJ by activity; ST, HG, PUP, SUP, and TUGT by both time and activity. Only track and field athletes increased significantly ST. All athletes improved significantly HG, PUP and SUP, instead non-athletic people decreased significantly SUP (p<0.01). TUGT improved significantly in track and field athletes (p<0.05), and decreased significantly in non-athletic people. ID level was positively correlated to TUGT. Findings of this study showed that physical activity improved fitness in adult athletes with ID, decreasing health risks. Athletes with lower ID obtained higher performance scores in motor coordination test.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Rome Foro Italico, Piazza Lauro De Bosis, 15, 00135 Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guidetti
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franciosi
authors.forename: Maria Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gallotta
authors.forename: Gian Pietro
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Emerenziani
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baldari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001490:Basketball / Q000523:psychology*; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010809:Physical Fitness; D018583:Pliability; D004856:Postural Balance; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011998:Recreation; D014142:Track and Field / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult