Effects of Special Olympic Training on the Physical Health of Individuals with Intellectual Disability

Mary Lou Schilling ； Roger Coles ； Dan Ekonen

《International Leisure Review》 4卷1期 (2015/03) Pp. 39-66

https://doi.org/10.6298/ILR.2015.4.3

並列摘要

The physical benefits of a Special Olympic poly hockey training program were explored with athletes with intellectual disability, ages 15 - 24. Aerobic capacity, upper extremity strength, abdominal strength, and flexibility were measured at the beginning and end of the training season using the Brockport fitness test. Us-ing a paired sample t test no statistically significant difference in performance was found. Descriptive statistics revealed improvement in upper extremity strength, abdominal strength, and aerobic capacity. Conversely, a decrease in flexibility was noted. Descriptive statistics also revealed that those with moderate intellectual disability displayed greater improvement in aerobic capacity, flexibility, and upper extremity strength as compared to those with mild intellectual disability. Using an ANCOVA statistical significance was found when comparing the type of training and performance to aerobic capacity. Results suggest some evidence in the physical health benefits to Special Olympic training programs.

並列關鍵字

physical fitness ； intellectual disability ； Special Olympics