Pauli Rintala

Prediction of maximal heart rate in individuals with mental retardation.

PURPOSE It is well known that individuals with mental retardation (MR), especially those with Down syndrome (DS), have low maximal heart rates (MHR). We evaluated the ability to predict MHR in individuals with MR and DS in comparison with persons without MR. METHODS Subjects completed a maximal exercise test on the treadmill with metabolic and HR measurements. Stepwise multiple regression was used to develop prediction equations for subjects with MR (N = 276; 97 with DS) and without (N = 296) MR, ranging in age from 9-46 yr. RESULTS Subjects with MR exhibited significantly lower MHR (177 vs 185 beats.min(-1)) and VO2peak (33.8 vs 35.6 mL.kg-1.min(-1)). In subjects with MR, age was a poor predictor of MHR, Y = 189 - 0.59 (age) (R = 0.30, SEE = 13.8 beats.min-1; P < 0.01), but age was a better predictor for subjects without MR, Y = 205 - 0.64 (age) (R = 0.52, SEE = 9.9 beats.min(-1); P < 0.01). A large sample Z test indicated that these regression coefficients were significantly different (P < 0.01). However, adding DS to the regression improved the prediction for subjects with MR, Y = 210 - (0.56 age) - (15.5 DS) (R = 0.57; SEE = 11.8 beats.min(-1), P < 0.01). CONCLUSION MHR can be predicted with similar accuracy in subjects with and without MR, provided DS is accounted for in the equation for the subjects with MR.

The effects of a psychomotor training programme on motor skill development in children with developmental language disorders

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two approaches to movement intervention for children with a combination of language and movement difficulties – a specialist approach labelled psychomotor training and regular PE lessons from trained PE teachers. From a sample of 76 children formally classified as suffering from developmental language disorder, 54 (71%) fell below the 15th percentile on a test of motor competence. These 54 children were then divided into two groups, one of whom received a 10 week psychomotor training programme and the other regular PE lessons. Although all children, regardless of the type of intervention, made progress, the differences between these two approaches were small. However, the children in the psychomotor training programme did improve more than those who followed the regular physical education curriculum, particularly on the object control task of the Test of Gross Motor Development. Our results are discussed in terms of the contribution movement intervention can make to the overall development of children with developmental language disorders. PsycINFO classification: 3250; 3270; 3357

Physical fitness profile of elite athletes with intellectual disability

The aim of this study was to investigate the physical fitness profile of high‐performance athletes with intellectual disability (ID) in comparison with able‐bodied individuals.

Eight-year-old children with high cardiorespiratory fitness have lower overall and abdominal fatness

OBJECTIVE 1) To examine whether cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with waist circumference (WC) and overall and abdominal fatness in eight-year-old girls and boys. 2) To determine whether children with high CRF have lower WC, overall and abdominal fatness within the same body mass index (BMI) category compared with those with low CRF. DESIGN A cross-sectional study of 304 eight-year-old children in Tampere, Finland whose parents responded to a postal invitation and participated in measurements. MEASUREMENTS Total body fat percentage (BF%), abdominal region fat percentage (AF%), and fat-free mass (FFM) were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). WC, height and weight were measured. International BMI sex- and age-specific cut-off points were used for overweight and obesity definition, and participants were divided into two categories: normal weight or overweight/obese. CRF was assessed with a maximal multistage 20-m shuttle run test (20-mSRT). RESULTS Of the children, 81% were normal weight and 19% were overweight/obese. CRF was inversely associated with WC (p<0.011), BF% (p<0.001) and AF% (p<0.001) independent of age, sex and BMI. Within the same BMI category, children with high CRF had significantly lower WC (p=0.001), BF% (p<0.001) and AF% (p<0.001) compared with children with low CRF. CONCLUSION Eight-year-old children with high CRF had lower overall and abdominal fatness compared with children with low CRF, independent of age, sex and BMI. CRF should be an important target already at a young age in preventing overall and abdominal obesity.

Suspected Motor Problems and Low Preference for Active Play in Childhood Are Associated with Physical Inactivity and Low Fitness in Adolescence

Background This prospective longitudinal study investigates whether suspected motor problems and low preference for active play in childhood are associated with physical inactivity and low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence. Methodology/Principal Findings The study sample consisted of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 (NFBC 1986) composed of 5,767 children whose parents responded to a postal inquiry concerning their childrens motor skills at age 8 years and who themselves reported their physical activity at age 16 years. Cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with a cycle ergometer test at age 16 years. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the level of physical activity and fitness were obtained from multinomial logistic regression and adjusted for socio-economic position and body mass index. Low preference for active play in childhood was associated with physical inactivity (boys: OR 3.31, 95% CI 2.42–4.53; girls: OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.36–2.36) and low cardiorespiratory fitness (boys: OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.27–2.74; girls: OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.09–2.11) in adolescence. Suspected gross (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.33–3.49) and fine (OR 1.88, 95% CI 1.35–2.60) motor problems were associated with physical inactivity among boys. Children with suspected motor problems and low preference for active play tended to have an even higher risk of physical inactivity in adolescence. Conclusions/Significance Low preference for active play in childhood was associated with physical inactivity and low cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescence. Furthermore, children with suspected motor problems and low preference for active play tended to have an even higher risk of physical inactivity in adolescence. Identification of children who do not prefer active play and who have motor problems may allow targeted interventions to support their motor learning and participation in active play and thereby promote their physical activity and fitness in later life.

Cross validation of the 1-mile walking test for men with mental retardation

The purpose of this study was to cross validate the equation developed by Rintala et al. (1992) to estimate the cardiorespiratory efficiency of men with mental retardation (MR). Subjects were 19 healthy men (27 +/- 8 yr) with MR (IQ = 58 +/- 12). Following familiarization, a graded maximal treadmill test and two 1-mile walk tests (Rockport Fitness Walking Test, RFWT) were administered. The peak VO2 value was the criterion measure used to cross validate the equation. The equation was: Peak VO2 (ml.kg-1.min-1) = 101.92 - 2.356 (MILE)-0.420 (WEIGHT). The mean differences were 2.04 (MILE1)(P = 0.02) and 2.43 (MILE2)(P = 0.004) ml.kg-1.min-1. A significant positive correlation was found between measured peak VO2 and predicted peak VO2 on both 1-mile walks (r = 0.91 and 0.93). For both predicted peak VO2 values, the Total Error (TE) was greater than standard error of estimate (SEE), indicating a systematic difference between the measured and predicted peak VO2 values. Moreover, only 58% of the measured peak VO2 values fell within the prespecified range. Test-retest reliability of RFWT was R = 0.96. However, the prediction equation underestimated the actual cardiorespiratory levels in 74% and 79% of the subjects, depending on the trial. Because the equation developed in this research underestimates the measured VO2 values for the majority of these subjects, the test is probably not statistically valid, even if reliable, and the prediction formula needs to be revised for this population.

Familiarization process in cardiorespiratory fitness testing for persons with mental retardation

The purpose of this article is to review the familiarization protocols and other factors used in laboratory and field testing studies implemented to measure the cardiorespiratory fitness of persons with mental retardation. Test selection issues, pretest familiarization procedures, and motivational strategies will be discussed. Little information is available to identify specific guidelines for familiarizing a subject with a specific protocol prior to cardiorespiratory fitness testing. The recommendations suggested in this article provide valuable and necessary information for researchers interested in the measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness of persons with mental retardation.

Perceived need to increase physical activity levels among adults at high risk of type 2 diabetes. A cross-sectional analysis within a community-based diabetes prevention project FIN-D2D

BackgroundIncreased physical activity is a cornerstone of type 2 diabetes prevention. The perception of a need to change is considered essential in behaviour change processes. However, the existing literature on individuals’ perceived need to change health behaviour is limited. In order to improve understanding of diabetes prevention through increased physical activity levels (PAL), we assessed factors associated with perceiving a need to increase PAL among adults at high risk of diabetes.MethodsOpportunistic screening was used within a primary-care based lifestyle intervention covering 10 149 men and women at high risk of type 2 diabetes. Data were obtained at baseline visits. The explored determinants were demographic, anthropometric/clinical, behavioural and psychosocial characteristics, along with four categories of PAL awareness. Logistic regression was used in the analysis.Results74% of men (n = 2 577) and 76% of women (n = 4 551) perceived a need to increase their PAL. The participants most likely to perceive this need were inactive, had a larger waist circumference, rated their PAL as insufficient, and were at the contemplation stage of change. Smoking, elevated blood pressure, dyslipidaemia, and a family history of diabetes were not associated with this perception. The likelihood was also greater among women with less perceived fitness and less education. Demographic factors other than education did not determine participants’ perceived need to increase PAL. PAL overestimators were less likely to perceive the need to increase their PAL than realistic inactive participants.ConclusionsSubjective rather than objective health factors appear to determine the perception of a need to increase PAL among adults at high risk of diabetes. Client perceptions need to be evaluated in health counselling in order to facilitate a change in PAL. Practical descriptions of the associations between metabolic risk factors, PAL, and diabetes are needed in order to make the risk factors concrete for at-risk individuals.

Psychometric assessment of finnish versions of exercise-related measures of transtheoretical model constructs

The Transtheoretical Model offers a promising approach for understanding exercise behavior. However, this model has received minimal cross-cultural attention, and measurement instruments are only available in English. This gap was addressed by assessing the psychometric properties of translated measures of each core construct from the model. Finnish (n= 168) and American (n=169) college students completed language specific measures. Among the Finnish, American, and combined samples, the measures demonstrated acceptable reliability. Using regression analysis, 34%, 18%, and 26%ofthe varianceinthe Finnish, American, and combined samples’ exercise behavior, respectively, was explained by self-efficacy and the behavioral processes of change, with no unique variance added by other core constructs or demographic factors. The translation of the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change scales/subscales into Finnish was successful. Within a cross-cultural sample, the translated measures demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties.

Measuring motor skills in Finnish children with intellectual disabilities.

This investigation examined differences in motor skill development between Finnish children (12 boys, 8 girls) with mild intellectual disability and typically developing Finnish children between the ages of 7 and 11 years. Ulrichs Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD) assessed the performances of 20 children with intellectual disability and an age- and sex-matched sample of 20 children without disabilities. Videotaped performances were assessed by the authors who were very familiar with the TGMD–2. The group with intellectual disability performed at a statistically significantly lower level on the Gross Motor Quotient, Locomotor, and Object Control subtests of TGMD–2, compared to the group without intellectual disability. The delay was equivalent to 3 to 4 years behind the Finnish normative group in gross motor development. In five out of 12 subtests, the group with intellectual disability achieved 0% mastery. Given low gross motor skills, children with intellectual disability require additional fundamental motor skill training in their active school or free time.