Difference in balance capacity for Special Olympics athletes and non-athletes with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Fall incidents are a significant health problem for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and physical activity improves balance capacity and can prevent the risk of falling. The Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® offers health screenings and education to athletes with ID. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore whether Special Olympics athletes have better balance capacity than non-athletes with ID. During the Special Olympics Sweden Invitational Games 2020, athletes and non-athletes participated in the Healthy Athletes programme. The results of athletes (n=47) and non-athletes (n=25) for balance tests (i.e. single leg stance, functional reach and timed sit-to stand test) and health markers (i.e. blood pressure and body mass index) were analysed. Athletes showed higher balance capacity, more physical activity at moderate intensity and a lower body mass index and diastolic blood pressure compared to non-athletes. However, the balance capacity of both athletes and non-athletes with ID were low, lower than for people without ID. From this study, Special Olympics athletes showed higher physical activity on moderate intensity and higher balance capacity which can decrease the risk of fall incidents compared to non-athletes.