The level of sports performance among people with intellectual disabilities in athletic competitions of the Special Olympics

Background: The Special Olympics are dedicated to people with intellectual disability and multiple disabilities. The aim of the study was to define the level of athletics competition results for participants with intellectual disabilities. More over researchers tried to determine the impact of gender and age on the results obtained by people with mental disabilities.

Material and methods: There were 1108 results (431 female, 677 male) achieved at Special Olympics events in 2016-2017. Competitors were divided into 4 age groups and competed in 8 track and field events.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the examined males and females in the 50 m sprint scores in all categories. In the 100, 200 and 400 m races, the males in groups III and IV were faster than the females in each group. In the long jump-standing competition, the results for the males were on average longer than the females in every category. The results of the long jump-running indicate that the women in the III and IV category had on average shorter lengths than men in the same groups. Only men in category III had higher scores than females in the ball throw. All categories showed higher results of men in the shot put. Among females there were differences between age groups in 100, 200 m races, long jump-standing and ball throw events. Among males age groups, the differences were observed in 100, 200 m races and long jump-running competitions.

Conclusion: The results of people aged 8-11 and 12-15 indicated a similar level of athletics competition results for males and females. In the groups 16-21 and 22+ years, a higher level of athletics competition results for was observed in men.‪