Analysis of the Physical Fitness Development Trajectory of Children and Adolescents With Severe Intellectual Disabilities in Orphanages: A Three-Year Longitudinal Follow-Up Study

Xili Wen1 个研究点分布在 1 个国家目标入组 132 人开始时间: 2021年3月1日最近更新: 2025年12月18日

适应症

试验速览

阶段: 不适用
状态: 已完成
发起方
入组人数: 132
试验地点: 1
主要终点: Longitudinal change in body mass index (BMI)

研究概览研究设计入排标准结局指标研究者研究点记录与标识符相似试验

研究概览

简要总结

This observational cohort study was designed to describe how physical fitness changes over time in children and adolescents with severe intellectual disabilities living in orphanages in China. A total of 132 participants aged 7-18 years were recruited from four state-run orphanages and followed prospectively for three years. At baseline and every 3 months thereafter (12 assessments in total), trained assessors measured body mass index and simple field-based fitness tests, including beanbag throwing for upper limb strength, sit-ups for core strength, standing long jump for lower limb explosive strength, and one-leg standing for static balance.

The main aim of the study is to characterize the long-term trajectories of physical fitness in this highly vulnerable population and to examine whether patterns of change differ by age group (children 7-12 years vs adolescents 13-18 years) and by sex. The findings are intended to provide evidence to guide physical education programming and health management strategies for children and adolescents with severe intellectual disabilities living in institutional care settings.

详细描述

Background and Rationale Children and adolescents with severe intellectual disabilities (SID) often present with marked limitations in motor skills, low levels of physical activity, and elevated risk of secondary health problems. Those living in orphanages represent an especially vulnerable group, as they frequently have limited access to individualized physical education and health promotion programs. However, there is little longitudinal evidence describing how physical fitness develops over time in this population, and whether trajectories differ by age or sex. Understanding these patterns is essential for designing tailored interventions and for allocating rehabilitation and educational resources within institutional care settings.

Study Design and Objectives This study is a prospective, multi-site, observational cohort. The overarching objective is to analyze three-year development trajectories of physical fitness among children and adolescents with SID residing in orphanages. Specific objectives are: (1) to describe longitudinal changes in body mass index (BMI), upper limb strength, core strength, lower limb explosive strength, and static balance over 12 measurement occasions; and (2) to compare these trajectories between age groups (children 7-12 years vs adolescents 13-18 years) and between boys and girls. No experimental intervention is introduced; all participants continue to receive usual institutional care and routine school-based physical education.

Setting and Participants Participants were recruited from four state-run orphanages located in Kaifeng and Zhengzhou (Henan Province), Wuhan (Hubei Province), and Hohhot (Inner Mongolia), China. At baseline, eligible participants were 7-18 years old, had a clinical diagnosis of severe intellectual disability according to national standards, and were permanent residents of the participating orphanages. Children and adolescents with acute or unstable medical conditions that would preclude participation in basic fitness testing, or with other contraindications judged by institutional physicians, were excluded. Written informed consent was obtained from legal guardians or institutional representatives in accordance with local regulations and the ethics approval.

Assessments and Outcome Measures

Data collection started in March 2021 (T1) and continued for three years with follow-up assessments every 3 months (approximately June, September, and December each year) until March 2024, yielding 12 planned measurement time points. At each assessment, trained physical education teachers or research staff conducted standardized measurements:

研究设计

研究类型: Observational
观察模型: Cohort
时间视角: Prospective

入排标准

年龄范围: 7 Years 至 18 Years（Child, Adult）
性别: All
接受健康志愿者: 否

入选标准

•Clinical diagnosis of severe intellectual disability according to national or institutional diagnostic standards.
•Aged 7 to 18 years at baseline.
•Permanent resident of one of the participating state-run orphanages in Kaifeng, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, or Hohhot, China.
•Able, with assistance if needed, to follow simple instructions and to attempt the basic physical fitness tests used in the study (height and weight, beanbag throwing, sit-ups, standing long jump, and one-leg standing).
•Written informed consent provided by the legal guardian or institutional representative in accordance with local regulations and the ethics approval.

排除标准

•Presence of an acute or unstable medical condition (e.g., severe cardiopulmonary disease, uncontrolled epilepsy, acute musculoskeletal injury) that would preclude safe participation in basic physical fitness testing.
•Any other condition or behavioural problem that, in the judgement of the institutional physician or investigators, would make participation unsafe or seriously interfere with completion of the assessments.