Analysis of the relationship between physical activity and metabolic syndrome risk factors in adults with intellectual disabilities

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between physical activities and metabolic syndrome risk factors in adults with intellectual disabilities. Seventeen adults with intellectual disabilities at a sheltered workshop wore Actical for 5 days on workdays to measure their physical activity, and blood samples were taken to measure their physical fitness factors and examine their risk factors for metabolic syndrome. The average daily physical activity was found to be 655.41± 129.36 kcal, and the average total physical activity over 5 days was 3,224.94±149.68 kcal. A positive correlation was confirmed between physical activity and muscular strength, muscular endurance, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and disability rating. Factors that predicted physical activity of adults with disabilities were disability rating (t=6.280, P<0.001) and glycated hemoglobin (t= −2.315, P<0.036), which had a 73.9% correlation (R(2)=0.739) with the physical activities of adults with intellectual disabilities. In conclusion, the physical activity level of adults with intellectual disabilities was significantly lower than that of adults in similar age groups, and such low physical activity may affect their muscular strength, muscular endurance, and metabolic syndrome risk factors. Therefore, additional studies on programs to improve and enhance physical activities at sheltered workshops, where adults with intellectual disabilities are mainly supervised and active, and guidelines for continuous health management are needed.