Views: 1,405 | Downloads:
23
| Responses: 0
| XML | Respond to this article | Alert & updates | Request permissions | Email to a friend |
Original ArticleOpen Access
Poor Physical Fitness of Adolescents with Mental Retardation at Rajanukul School, Bangkok
Chaiwanichsiri D 
,
Sanguanrungsirikul S ,
Suwannakul W
,
Sanguanrungsirikul S ,
Suwannakul W Objective. To study the physical condition of adolescents with mild to moderate mental
retardation (MR), twenty-eight MR students from Rajanukul school were evaluated for their fitness
components compared to 14 normal students.
Method. Per cent body fat (%BF) was calculated from three sites of skinfold thickness.
The cardiorespiratory endurance was assessed using graded exercise testing and Quinton gas
analyzer. Isometric leg strength was measured with dynamometer, and flexibility was measured by
sit and reach test.
Results. Compared between MR and normal subjects, %BF was higher in the MR group
without statistic significance. Five MR females had %BF
>
30. The mean V02peak was about 70
pet cent of normal. The leg strength and flexibility were very poor.
Conclusion. The MR adolescents had a significantly lower level of physical fitness and
more prevalence of obesity than normal students. Appropriate physical activities should be empha-
sized for health promotion and disease prevention.
Key word : Physical Fitness, Mental Retardation, Cardiorespiratory Endurance, Exercise Testing
retardation (MR), twenty-eight MR students from Rajanukul school were evaluated for their fitness
components compared to 14 normal students.
Method. Per cent body fat (%BF) was calculated from three sites of skinfold thickness.
The cardiorespiratory endurance was assessed using graded exercise testing and Quinton gas
analyzer. Isometric leg strength was measured with dynamometer, and flexibility was measured by
sit and reach test.
Results. Compared between MR and normal subjects, %BF was higher in the MR group
without statistic significance. Five MR females had %BF
>
30. The mean V02peak was about 70
pet cent of normal. The leg strength and flexibility were very poor.
Conclusion. The MR adolescents had a significantly lower level of physical fitness and
more prevalence of obesity than normal students. Appropriate physical activities should be empha-
sized for health promotion and disease prevention.
Key word : Physical Fitness, Mental Retardation, Cardiorespiratory Endurance, Exercise Testing
Download:
PDF