RehabMove 2018: Gait of adults with intellectual disabilities, and its association with physical fitness

PURPOSE: Gait is a relevant and complex aspect of motor functioning. Gait disturbances and delayed motor development are often seen in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). These disturbances may be associated with the low physical fitness levels of adults with ID, and may be a reason why physical activity seems to be so intense for them. However, little is known about the gait disturbances and its association with physical fitness. Therefore, we assessed the gait characteristics of adults with ID, and the association with physical fitness. METHODS: Spatiotemporal gait parameters of 31 adults with mild to moderate ID (42.77 ± 16.70 years) were measured with the GAITRite at comfortable and fast speed. Physical fitness was measured with body composition (BMI, waist circumference), muscular endurance (chair stand tests), grip strength (hand dynamometer), and balance (four stances). Gait parameters at comfortable and fast speed were described, and associations with physical fitness were calculated with Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS: Gait characteristics of adults with ID were comparable to those seen in adults of the general population of on average 20 years older. Adults with ID did have a broader and more variable gait. Gait at comfortable speed was associated with body composition, while gait at fast speed was associated with the other fitness components. CONCLUSIONS: The gait characteristics of adults with ID seem to resemble an older gait pattern. Physical fitness may be more important for gait at more challenging conditions, which is an important implication for safe community participation and participation in physical activity. These insights are important for developing interventions to improve gait in adults with ID