RESEARCH REPORT POSTER DISPLAY

THE CORRELATION OF LOWER EXTREMITY FLEXIBILITY AND STRENGTH WITH BALANCE IN AN INTERNATIONAL POPULATION OF SPECIAL OLYMPIANS. Adewunmi R, James T, Reicherter E, Kasior-Szerszen I; Howard University, Washington DC, USA

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between lower extremity flexibility and strength measurements with balance scores in Special Olympian men, women, and children participating in the 2005 Nagano Japan Winter World Games. RELEVANCE: Research has shown that individuals with intellectual disabilities have low levels of physical fitness and high incidence of obesity which puts them at risk for many health problems. Due to their expertise, physical therapists are uniquely situated to address these health disparities. However, compared with other populations, little is known about the relationship of strength and flexibility as related to the balance of youth and adults with mental retardation to guide clinicians in their efforts with this population. PARTICIPANTS: A database including lower extremity strength and flexibility and balance measures of 482 international participants from the 2005 Winter World Special Olympics Games in Nagano, Japan was utilized. Participants were of both genders; ages ranging from 10–55 years. METHODS: The participants provided informed consent before participating and institutional review board approval was attained for the study. Utilizing the FUNfitness protocol, lower quarter strength (sit to stand, abdominal crunch) and flexibility (hip and knee extension, ankle dorsiflexion) and balance (functional reach, single leg stance) were measured and recorded onto score sheets by physical therapists. ANALYSIS: The data for each of the strength and flexibility measures were compared to each of the balance measures to identify the correlation between them. A Pearson correlation was performed utilizing SPSS 13.0 statistical software. RESULTS: The results from the data analysis found statistically significant correlations amongst the strength, flexibility, and balance measures. Increased time (seconds) to perform single leg stance was inversely correlated to quickly perform sit-to-stand (repetitions/minute); ranging from r = −0.26 to −0.52 (p ≤ 0.01) across age groups. Increased time to perform single-leg-stance was also negatively correlated with ability to perform the Functional Reach Test; ranging from r = −0.25 to −0.40 (p ≤ 0.01) across age groups. To a lesser significance level (p ≤ 0.05), decreased ankle dorsiflexion range-of-motion was negatively correlated with increased single leg stance time in the older groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study showed a highly significant correlation between decreased lower extremity flexibility and poor balance in an international Special Olympian population. To a lesser degree, lack of lower extremity flexibility was correlated with poor balance, particularly in the older athlete groups. IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study found that even in an elite athletic population, lack of lower extremity strength and flexibility can impair balance for persons with intellectual disabilities. This implies that for these athletes and for other persons with this disability, the increased risk of falls and other injuries is significant. Physical therapists can play a vital role in addressing this health concern to improve the physical health and quality of life of these individuals. KEYWORDS: Mental Retardation; Musculoskeletal Equilibrium; Physical therapy. FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Presentation of the results of this study was supported by a Howard University Fund for Academic Excellence Grant and Center for Advancement of Service Learning Grant. CONTACT: radewunmi2@yahoo.com

ETHICS COMMITTEE: Howard University Institutional Review Board