Feasibility and reliability of the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity health‐related fitness test battery in adults with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

BackgroundPeople with intellectual disabilities (ID) seem to have a lower physical fitness (PF) than their peers without disabilities which coincides with reduced autonomy, life expectancy and quality of life. To assess PF in these individuals, it is necessary to use appropriate tools that permit the assessment of their physical capacities taking into account their specific characteristics. The aim of this work is to study the feasibility and reliability of the Alpha-Fit test battery for adults in a group of men and women with mild to moderate ID. MethodForty-one adults with ID of both sexes, ranging in age from 20 to 60 years old, participated in the study. To identify the feasibility and reliability of the Alpha-Fit test battery for adults, two complete assessments were done for each one of the tests included in the battery. The assessments were performed for a period of no more than two weeks (test-retest). An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to determinate test-retest reliability, and a mixed ANOVA factorial was used for each of the dependent variables. Bland-Altman plots were also used to assess consistency between the two measurements. Feasibility was calculated as the percentage of people who were able to perform the tests correctly (not feasible <50%, fairly feasible 50%-75%, and feasible >75%).In order to determine other psychometric properties, minimal detectable change (MDC) and standard error of measurement (SEM) were also calculated. ResultsOf the 10 tests in the Alpha-Fit test battery, 8 were shown to be feasible. High reliability was obtained (> .90) for the variables related to body composition. In the hand-grip test, reliability was high in the men's group, but low in the women's group. Good reliability results were also found (.80-.89) in the dynamic sit-up test for women, but not for men. Fair reliability (.70-.79) was found in jump-and-reach and neck-shoulder mobility tests. The variables in the 2km walk and agility tests indicated poor reliability. Al tests showed SEM values related to high variability. However, Bland-Altman plots showed results related to lack of consistency. ConclusionsThe feasibility and reliability calculations, as well as the SEM values, confirm that not all the tests of the Alpha-Fit Test Battery for Adults are suitable for the assessment of PF in adults with ID, probably because of the complexity of the motor fitness tests. The authors emphasise the necessity of making adaptations to the protocols used, or of using other tests more appropriate to the characteristics of people with mild to moderate ID.

Feasibility and Reliability of Health-Related Physical Fitness Tests in Children and Adolescents with Hearing Impairment

“…This is perhaps not surprising, given that each of these tests have demonstrated good feasibility and reliability in other study groups [22,34]. For example, prior studies have demonstrated good feasibility and reliability for BMI among children without disabilities [35] as well as those with intellectual disabilities [27,28], whereas the grip strength test has been shown to have good reliability and feasibility for people with intellectual disabilities [27,28], bipolar disorder [36], and down syndrome [37]. The reliability coefficients of the standing long jump found in our sample (ICC = 0.89) are comparable with those in typically developing children [38], adolescents with an intellectual disability [21], and adults with bipolar disorder [36].…”

“…Firstly, the one leg stand test, which was used to measure bal-ance ability, demonstrated weak reliability among our sample (ICC = 0.36, SEM% = 107.9%, MDC% = 299.2%). A recent study also found this test unreliable in people with intellectual disabilities [28]. Theoretically, balance is closely associated with the sensory system, particularly vision and hearing [41,42].…”

“…To date, the research on HRPF measurement has mainly focused on children and adolescents without disabilities [22,23], as well as those with intellectual and physical disabilities [24][25][26][27][28]. For example, the reliability, feasibility, and validity of HRPF test tools such as the Brockport Physical Fitness Test, SAMU-Disability Fitness Battery, and Assessing Levels of Physical Activity Fit test battery have been examined in disability groups, such as groups with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities [26][27][28]. Interestingly, although a few studies have examined HRPF levels and correlates among individuals with HI [4,29], little research, to the best of our knowledge, has evaluated the feasibility and reliability of the HRPF tests in this group.…”

Estudio sobre la idoneidad de dos test de valoración de la amplitud de movimiento en personas sedentarias con discapacidad intelectual (Study on the suitability of two test for the assessment of the range of motion in sedentary people with intellectual d

“…Los plots de Bland-Altman el 0 se establece como valor de referencia. Esto es así porque si la diferencia entre una puntuación en el pretest y en el postest es 0, es que la repetibilidad de la medida es perfecta (Cabeza-Ruiz, et al, 2020). En el presente estudio, el primero de los aspectos a señalar es que en la figura 2.A.…”

Video-Based Behaviorally Coded Movement Assessment for Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: Application in Leg Dribbling Performance

“…Adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) exhibit relatively unstable and variable movement characteristics. Their motor impairments include deficiencies in the aspects of motor control, such as coordination, reaction time, agility, balance control, muscle strength, and endurance, and they may exhibit comorbidities such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorders or developmental coordination disorders [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Consequently, they are less fit than the typically developing (TD) peers and often have difficulties engaging in movements such as walking and running [ 1 , 2 , 11 , 12 ].…”