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. 2022 Aug 29;9(9):1315.
doi: 10.3390/children9091315.

Anthropometric Indicators of the Cardiometabolic Risk, Muscle Strength, and Functional Capacity of Schoolchildren with Intellectual Disabilities during Lockdown in Chile

Claudio Farías-Valenzuela  1   2 , Gerson Ferrari  3   4 , Sebastián Espoz-Lazo  5 , Paloma Ferrero-Hernández  6 , Emilio Jofré-Saldia  3 , Sebastián Álvarez-Arangua  7 , Carlos Poblete-Aro  8 , Andrés Godoy-Cumillaf  9 , Cristian Cofre-Bolados  3 , Pedro Valdivia-Moral  2
Affiliations

Anthropometric Indicators of the Cardiometabolic Risk, Muscle Strength, and Functional Capacity of Schoolchildren with Intellectual Disabilities during Lockdown in Chile

Claudio Farías-Valenzuela et al. Children (Basel). .

Abstract

Lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the social, psychological, and physical well-being of the world population. In the case of people with intellectual disabilities, the impact of lockdown on their physical condition and functionality is not completely clear. This study aimed to determine the effects of COVID-19 lockdown on the anthropometric indicators of cardiometabolic risk, muscle strength, and functionality on schoolchildren with intellectual disabilities. The sample was composed of 132 students of both sexes (n = 74 pre-lockdown; n = 58 lockdown) belonging to two special education centers from the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile. Our results showed significant reductions (p ≤ 0.05) in absolute and relative handgrip strength, as well as in functionality, when comparing pre-lockdown and lockdown measurements, with a greater loss in girls than boys. The design and implementation of physical exercise programs centered on strength training are necessary for the physical and functional reconditioning of this population. These programs need to be implemented in special education centers considering the general well-being, quality of life and work needs of people with intellectual disabilities.

Keywords: COVID-19; cardiometabolic risk; functional capacity; handgrip strength; intellectual disability; lockdown; muscle strength; physical condition; schoolchildren.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Differences in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio pre-lockdown and during lockdown in schoolchildren with ID in both sexes. (a) Body weight; (b) BMI; (c) waist circumference; (d) waist-to-height ratio. Data are presented as medians, significance value p ≤ 0.05 used for the Mann–Whitney U test. PRE LCKD: Pre Lockdown; LCKD: During Lockdown.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Differences in absolute right and left arm handgrip strength pre-lockdown and during lockdown in schoolchildren with ID in both sexes. Data are presented as medians. ** Significance value p = ≤ 0.05 for Mann–Whitney U test. PRE LCKD: Pre Lockdown; LCKD: During Lockdown.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Differences in absolute right and left arm handgrip strength pre-lockdown and during lockdown in schoolchildren with ID in both sexes. Data are presented as medians. ** Significance value p ≤ 0.05 for Mann–Whitney U test. PRE LCKD: Pre Lockdown; LCKD: During Lockdown.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Differences in countermovement jump (CMJ) pre-lockdown and during lockdown in schoolchildren with ID in both sexes. Data are presented as means. Significance value p ≤ 0.05 for T-Student test for independent samples. PRE LCKD: Pre Lockdown; LCKD: During Lockdown.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Differences in Time Up and Go test, five time sit to stand test, 4 × 10 m agility test, average running speed pre-lockdown and during lockdown in schoolchildren with ID in both sexes. (aTime up and go test; (b) 5 times sit to stand test; (c) 4 × 10 m test; (d) average running speed. (a–c) is presented as median and (d) and mean. ** Significance value p = ≤0.05 for Mann–Whitney U test and T-Student test for independent samples, respectively. PRE LCKD: Pre Lockdown; LCKD: During Lockdown.
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