1. A Summary by Justin McCullick
Physical fitness is predictive for a decline in daily functioning in older Adults with Intellectual Disability: Results of the HA-ID study
A Summary by Justin McCullick

2. Background and Purpose
Study was part of the ‘Healthy ageing and intellectual disabilities (HA- ID) conducted in Netherlands
Purpose: “to assess the predictive value of physical fitness for daily functioning, over a 3-year period, in a large sample of older adults with Intellectual Disability (ID)”. (Oppewal, HilgenKamp, van Wijck, Schoufour, & Evenhuis, 2014).

3. Sample
Participants were from three ID care organizations and two universities.
Participants were 50 years and over
1050 participants as a representative sample
602 participants completed the study with a follow up after 3 years.
Participants severity of ID ranged from borderline to severe and was obtained from Behavioral therapist and psychologists’ paperwork.

4. Methods Conducted Baseline
Collected Age, gender, IQ scores, and presences of Down Syndrome (DS)
Measured physical fitness
Manual Dexterity – Box and Block Test
Reaction Time – Auditive and visual time task
Balance – Berg Balance Scale
Gait Speed – Comfortable and Fast speeds over 5 m distance
Grip Strength – Jamar Hand Dynamometer
Muscular endurance – 30 s Chair Stand
Flexibility – Extended version of Modified Back Saver sit and reach test
Cardiorespiratory Fitness – 10 m incremental shuttle walking test

5. Methods Daily Functioning Operational definition included
Bowel Control
Bladder Control
Grooming
Toilet use
Feeding
Transfer
Walking
Dressing
Stair Climbing
Bathing
Filled out by Caregivers
Scores ranged from 0 to 20 with 0 being completely dependent
Assessed Mobility
Walking in multiple situation (i.e., inside the house, at work or school, outside in a protected area, Outside in an unprotected area

6. Results
Three years later they researchers followed up with participants.
Caregivers again filled out the items that were taken initially.
Analysis was completed with simple linear regression. Each fitness component was an independent variable; Follow-up ADL or mobility was the dependent variable
Multiple regression was assessed (i.e., age, gender, level of ID, DS, and baseline score).

7. Discussion and Conclusions
Fitness predicts declines in ADL’s for individuals with ID which parallels the general population
To maintain Independence, physical fitness and recreation activities need to be provided.
602 participants performed at least one physical fitness test and had follow up data available.
ADL and Mobility was significantly worse at follow up.
All physical fitness components predicted higher ADL scores.
All physical fitness components except auditive reaction time, grip strength and flexibility were predictors of decline.

8. Reference
Oppewal, A., Hilgenkamp, T.I.M., van Wijck, R., Schoufour, J.D., H. M. (2014) Physical fitness is predictive for a decline in daily functioning in older adults with intellectual disabilities: Results of the Ha-ID study. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35(10),