THE IMPACT OF THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS PROGRAMS ON THE PHYSICAL FITNESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF ATHLETES WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES

Background: A modern society faces the challenge of providing vulnerable groups of adult athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the process of ageing with appropriate support in improving physical fitness, active lifestyle and quality of life (QoL).

Purpose: The purpose of our mixed methods study was to investigate the short-term impact of three different programs of physical activity within the Special Olympics of Slovenia (SO) on individual components of physical fitness and QoL of ageing athletes with IDD.

Methods: The explanatory Mixed Methods Design was used with a sequential data collection.  In quantitative part a double-blind, randomised clinical trial (RCT) protocol with stratification was used in which 150 physically inactive adults with ID were classified in 2 study groups, namely fun fitness plus in combination with regular training of SO (N = 50) and wellness team in combination with regular SO training (N = 50), and into the control group (regular training of the SO). Initial assessments of individual physical fitness components and QoL were carried out at the beginning and at the end of the 4-month study. We used a multiple regression analysis and later a discriminant analysis. In the qualitative part of the study we used a qualitative phenomenological approach. The study was approved by the Medical Ethics Commission of the Republic of Slovenia (No. 0120-598 / 2017/7).

Results: On the basis of the obtained results of a discriminant analysis on the studied sample of adults with ID included in three different SO programs, we can conclude that there is a linear combination of measured dependent variables of physical fitness components, which are mostly represented by the flexibility of the ankle and functional shoulder rotation and the level of balance. The linear combination of physical fitness components maximally separates pre-defined groups according to SO programs. The obtained dimensions are those that best explain the differences in physical fitness among the participants of the 3 groups. The discriminant variable shows the good organisation of units in advance for given groups, because on the basis of 81% certainty, we can predict the physical preparedness of ageing adult SO athletes with ID considering their inclusion in the selected program of physical activity. Based on the analysis of qualitative results, we find that participants in fun fitness plus group improved flexibility, muscle strength and endurance, balance and aerobic fitness and QoL the most comparing to other groups.  

Conclusion(s): We can conclude that without the mixed methods design, we would not be able to answer all the research questions posed.  With this contribution to science, we contribute to a deeper and wider understanding of the impact of various SO programs on the individual components of physical fitness of the ageing athletes with ID and on their QoL.

Implications:  We have submitted a new conceptual model for the inclusive health of ageing adults with IDD which offers effective follow-ups for future interdisciplinary research work in the field of applied physiotherapy and social gerontology.

Funding, acknowledgements: This work was completed as part of the fulfilment for a PhD degree at AMEU ECM.

Keywords: Special Olympics programs, intellectual disability, mixed methods

Topic: Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: Alma Mater Europaea

Committee: KME RS

Ethics number: No. 0120-598 / 2017/7