Clinical Considerations and Resources for Youth Athletes with Intellectual Disability: a Review with a Focus on Special Olympics International

This article summarizes recent SOI efforts in both sports competition and health initiatives. Data collected from SOI ’s Healthy Athletes Initiative revealed obesity in 31.5% of youth with ID. Data also demonstrated concerns with flexibility in 71.3% of athletes and concerns with muscle strength in 56.5% of athletes. Results from medical coverage of the 2009 Special Olympics Great Britain Summer Games revealed mu sculoskeletal and skin concerns as the primary reasons for on-site sports coverage medical consultation.SummaryClinicians caring for youth with ID should be aware of the sport opportunities for this population and the health initiatives of SOI. Future research is needed on applying sports' medicine principles to youth athletes with ID. By including this article alongside an article on youth adaptive sports, the field of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine is demonstrating its commitment to all youth athletes.
Source: Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports - Category: Rehabilitation Source Type: research