Physical fitness of children and adolescents with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities.

Low levels of physical fitness are associated with low physical and mental health. The aims of this study were to assess the health-related physical fitness of children with intellectual disability (ID), and study the association of physical activity and motor development with physical fitness. One hundred and twenty-eight children with moderate to severe ID (83 boys; age 2-18 years) visiting specialised day programme centres engaged in field-based physical fitness tests (body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and cardiorespiratory fitness).

Physical activity levels of children and adolescents with moderate-to-severe intellectual disability.

Background: Regular participation of children and adolescents with intellectual disabilites in physical activity is important to maintain good health and to acquire motor skills. The aim of this study was to investigate the habitual physical activity in these children.

Methods: Sixty-eight children and adolescents (2-18 years) with a moderate-to-severe intellectual disability were included in the analyses.

Feasibility and Reliability of Tests Measuring Health-Related Physical Fitness in Children With Moderate to Severe Levels of Intellectual Disability.

Physical fitness is an important marker for health. In this study we investigated the feasibility and reliability of health-related physical fitness tests in children with moderate to severe levels of intellectual disability. Thirty-nine children (2-18 yrs) performed tests for muscular strength and endurance, the modified 6-minute walk test (6mwt) for cardiorespiratory fitness, and body composition tests, and 30-97% of the tests were successfully completed.

Systematic review of field-based physical fitness tests for children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities.

Background: Testing physical fitness in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) can be challenging. This review provides an overview on psychometric properties of field-based physical fitness tests studied in children and adolescents with ID.

Methods: A literature search was performed in March 2014.