title: A comparison of physical activity, physical fitness levels, BMI and blood pressure of adults with intellectual disability, who do and do not take part in Special Olympics Ireland programmes: Results from the SOPHIE study.
abstract: People with an intellectual disability are less physically active, live more sedentary lives, have lower fitness levels and are more likely to be overweight or obese than the general population. No evidence exists on the impact of participation in Special Olympics Ireland (SOI) on physical activity and physical fitness levels. Adults with intellectual disabilities (16-64 years) were recruited from services and SOI clubs. Physical measures included waist circumference, height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate and 6-min walking test. Self-report questionnaires gathered data on physical activity levels. Actigraph (GT3X) accelerometers were used to gain an objective measure of physical activity. SOI participants accumulated more moderate to vigorous physical activity per day, had higher fitness levels and more positive health profile scores than those not taking part in SOI. SOI has the potential to make a positive difference to people's physical health and subsequently their overall health and well-being.
authors.affiliation: Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walsh
authors.affiliation: Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sarahjane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Belton
authors.affiliation: Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Meegan
authors.affiliation: Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Kirsty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bowers
authors.affiliation: Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Deidre
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corby
authors.affiliation: Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Staines
authors.affiliation: Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Treasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: McVeigh
authors.affiliation: Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McKeon
authors.affiliation: Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Edel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hoey
authors.affiliation: University of York, UK.
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trépel
authors.affiliation: Queens University, Northern Ireland.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.affiliation: Dublin City University, Ireland.
authors.forename: Mary Rose
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Sweeney
mesh_terms: D056044:Actigraphy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Special Olympics Ireland; intellectual disability; obesity; physical activity; physical fitness