Comparison of the Quality of Life and Physical Fitness in Males and Female Athletes with Intellectual Disability Participating in Iranian Special Olympics

People with Intellectual Disability are a vulnerable social group whose physical health is also important. The purpose of the present study was to compare quality of life and physical fitness in male and female athletes with Intellectual Disability participating in Iranian Special Olympics.

The research sample included 126 individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: 70 males with Intellectual Disability with and without Down Syndrome and 56 females with Intellectual Disability without Down Syndrome, aged 18 to 30 years participating in Iranian Special Olympics. As for assess, a set of Eurofit Special tests, including explosive leg strength (standing broad jump), arm strength (pushing a 2 kg ball), abdominal muscle endurance (Sit-up), speed (20 meter run), flexibility (sit and reach), and balance (walk on a bench) for physical fitness, and Schalock’s and Keith’s Quality of Life Questionnaire for quality of life were used. To compare the two groups, SPSS software was used running independent T-test and Mann-Whitney U statistical methods at the significance level of =α0/05.

There was a significant difference in variables Competence/Productivity (P=0.010), Empowerment/Independence (P=0.001), total score of the Quality of Life (P=0.037), body mass index (P=0.008), abdominal muscle endurance (P=0.010), speed (P=0.001), and arm strength (P=0.001) between males with Intellectual Disability with Down Syndrome and females with Intellectual Disability, and also Competence/Productivity (P=0.036), Empowerment/Independence (P=0.001), total score of the Quality of Life (P=0.021), flexibility (P=0.003), balance (P=0.001), speed (P=0.001), and arm strength (P=0.001) between males with Intellectual Disability without Down Syndrome and females with Intellectual Disability.

According to the results, it can be concluded that male athletes with Intellectual Disability have higher quality of life and physical fitness than females with intellectual disability. As for the little information on this issue, it is necessary to examine more accurately the content of programs of the Iranian Special Olympics.