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

• Published in: Research in developmental disabilities 2017-02, Vol.61, p.77-94
• Main Authors: Wouters, Marieke, Evenhuis, Heleen M., Hilgenkamp, Thessa I.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Body Composition; Body Mass Index; Cardiorespiratory Fitness; Child; Children; Exercise Test - methods; Feasibility Studies; Hand Strength; Humans; Intellectual Disability; Muscle Strength; Physical Endurance; Physical Fitness; Physical fitness tests; Plethysmography, Impedance; Reproducibility of Results; Review; Severity of Illness Index; Walk Test
• ISSN: 0891-4222; 1873-3379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2016.12.016

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. A literature search was performed in March 2014. Studies were included if they evaluated feasibility, reliability and/or validity of a field-based physical fitness test in children and adolescents with ID. Twenty-six papers met the inclusion criteria and described 18 tests on body composition (4), muscular strength (4), muscular endurance (6), and cardiorespiratory fitness (4). Best results on feasibility, reliability and/or validity were found for bioelectric impedance analysis, body mass index, grip strength, arm hang and distance run/walk tests. These results were mainly found in adolescents with mild to moderate ID. Some tests were found feasible, reliable and/or valid in subgroups of children and adolescents with ID, but not in children and adolescents with all ages and levels of ID. Further assessment is needed before wider application in all children and adolescents with ID.