Low Muscle Strength, Low Bone Mineral Density, and High Body Mass Index Among Adult Special Olympics Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Examination

in Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly

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Morgan CleveringaDepartment of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA

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E. Andrew PitchfordDepartment of Kinesiology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA

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https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8945-8194*
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2021-0191
Keywords:
intellectual disability; sarcopenia; osteopenia; obesity; physical fitness
First Published Online:
10 Jun 2022
In Print:
Volume 40: Issue 1
Page Range:
19–37
Restricted access

Adults with intellectual disabilities have increasing life expectancy but may be susceptible to early aging-related conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between the presence of low muscle strength, low bone mineral density, and high body mass index with age and sex in adult Special Olympics athletes. Grip strength (n = 6,477; 40.9% female), chair stand time (n = 6,444; 40.5% female), body mass index (n = 7,824; 43.7% female), and bone mineral density (n = 3,091; 43.2% female) measurements were provided by Special Olympics International. Poor grip strength, chair stand time, bone mineral density, and body mass index were identified in 43.8%, 46.2%, 28.7%, and 50.3% of each sample, respectively. Increasing age was a risk factor for all conditions (odds ratio = 1.30–10.89; p < .05). High rates of adverse health conditions were observed in a sample of adults with intellectual disabilities. Increased risk was observed as early as the fourth decade of life.

Pitchford (eapitch@iastate.edu) is corresponding author, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8945-8194

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