Feasibility of eight physical fitness tests in 1,050 older adults with intellectual disability: results of the healthy ageing with intellectual disabilities study.
Although physical fitness is relevant for well-being and health, knowledge on the feasibility of instruments to measure physical fitness in older adults with intellectual disability (ID) is lacking. As part of the study Healthy Ageing with Intellectual Disabilities with 1,050 older clients with ID in three Dutch care services, the feasibility of 8 physical fitness tests was expressed in completion rates: box and block test, response time test, Berg balance scale, walking speed, grip strength, 30-s chair stand, 10-m incremental shuttle walking test, and the extended modified back saver sit and reach test. All tests had moderate to good feasibility in all subgroups, except for the participants with profound ID (all tests), severe ID (response time test and Berg balance scale), and wheelchair users (all tests that involve the legs). We conclude that the 8 tests are feasible to measure physical fitness in most older adults with ID.
Erasmus Medical Center, Department of General Practice, Intellectual Disability Medicine, P.O. Box 2040, Rotterdam, Rotterdam 3000 CA, Netherlands. t.hilgenkamp@erasmusmc.nl
Thessa I M
TI
Hilgenkamp
Ruud
R
van Wijck
Heleen M
HM
Evenhuis
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology