A1 Journal article (refereed)
Age and sex-based differences in functional strength of adults participating in Special Olympics (2022)

Temple, V. A., Rintala, P., Zeitz, S., Lloyd, M., & Foley, J. T. (2022). Age and sex-based differences in functional strength of adults participating in Special Olympics. European journal of adapted physical activity, 15, Article 1. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2021.009

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Temple, Viviene A.; Rintala, Pauli; Zeitz, Shayla; Lloyd, Meghann; Foley, John T.

Journal or series: European journal of adapted physical activity

eISSN: 1803-3857

Publication year: 2022

Publication date: 06/01/2022

Volume: 15

Article number: 1

Publisher: European Federation of Adapted Physical Activity

Publication country: Czechia

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2021.009

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79497

Abstract

Muscular strength is a critical component of physical health. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine age- and sex-based differences in functional strength and rates of referral for education in a large international sample of Special Olympics athletes. A total of 30,358 (male = 19,661) adult (20–69 years old) athlete functional strength records were utilized from the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes database. Descriptive statistics were computed for the following tests: timed sit to stand, partial sit-up, grip strength, and seated push-up. Analyses of variance with Fisher-Hayter pairwise comparisons generally supported age-related decreases in strength among both males and females in this study. Overall, male participants were stronger than the female participants. However, significantly fewer women were referred for education based on their grip strength scores. The rates of referral for education are a concern regarding core- and leg strength for more than one-third of athletes over the age of 30. These findings suggest that a substantial proportion of Special Olympics athletes would benefit from additional strength and conditioning training.

Keywords: people with intellectual disabilities; athletes; fitness tests; strength training; condition

Free keywords: intellectual disability; FUNfitness test battery; education; fitness testing; screening; health; athletes; Special Olympics

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2022

JUFO rating: 1