Abstract
Individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities face accelerated musculoskeletal aging and increased sarcopenia, leading to functional limitations and health risks. Some common metrics looked at while trying to understand relative strength in individuals are body composition and hand grip. Studies have shown males and females with the similar muscle structure often show similar muscle strength. Muscular strength has a substantial impact on individuals’ daily activities, physical health, and performance in the context of sport. Despite its potential value, research has yet to determine the muscle quality index (MQI) for individuals that compete within the between adults with and without intellectual and physical disabilities, particularly for those competing within the Special Olympics. Statistics show that about 1 in 6 individuals experience some sort of intellectual or physical disability. Having a clear baseline of strength and MQI will aid in understanding how to better train and target areas of weakness in this population. Strengthening these areas of deficiencies will benefit these individuals, increasing their health, longevity, and performance of daily activities as well as sport. PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the MQI for a group of Special Olympic basketball athletes. METHODS: Individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities (n = 11) had handgrip strength and appendicular lean mass (ALM) of both the right arm and left arm measured using a handgrip dynamometer and bioelectrical impedance analysis, respectively. All MQI values were analyzed, via a one-sample t-test, against a normative data MQI value based on 235 adults ranging from 18 to 63 years of age. MQI was computed as follows: 1). MQI_RA: (lean mass of right arm / HGS of right hand); and 2). MQI_LA: (lean mass of left arm / HGS of left hand). RESULTS: Results indicated that the MQI for the Special Olympic athletes was, on average, lower compared to the general population normative value of 12.15 kg/kg (left arm; d = 0.68) and 12.51 kg/kg (right arm; d = 0.39). Individuals within the current study demonstrated MQI values for the right arm of 11.08 ± 3.66 kg/kg and left arm of 10.00 ± 3.15 kg/kg. The athletes also showed a medium practical magnitude of difference in appendicular lean mass values between the right arm (3.01 ± 0.91 kg) and left arm (2.89 ± 0.95 kg) (d = 0.80). The variance between limbs is further exhibited in the moderate practical difference in handgrip strength between the right and left hands (32.6 ± 13.4 kg vs. 28.9 ± 13.9 kg, respectively) (d = 0.71). CONCLUSION: Individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities exhibit lower MQI compared to age-matched peers without any disabilities. The underscoring of these individuals shows the need for targeted interventions to improve muscular health may lead to increases in performance in daily activities and sports performance within Special Olympic Basketball Athletes.
Recommended Citation
Longoria, Ian C.; Kesterson, Misty; Thompson, Marcus D.; Melrose, Don; Maldonaldo, Maricella A.; and Snarr, Ronald L.
(2026)
"Strength & Structure: Do Special Olympic Athletes Possess Similar Muscle Quality in the Upper Appendages to Age-Related General Populations,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
18, Article 154.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss18/154