Abstract des Autors

To evaluate aerobic and anaerobic capacities, blood lipid profile, ractivity, vegetative function, axial musculoskeletal system, nutrition and habitual physical activity in schoolchildren with mental retardation (MR), a group of boys (n=10; IQ = 60-80; age 13+/-2 years, body mass 55+/-16 kg, body height 163+/-14cm) was studied. Body build and composition in MR boys (16+/-4 % fat, BMI 20+/-3 kg/m2) were comparable to those of normal population, however, both aerobic (VO2max 32+/-7 ml/kg/min) and anaerobic capacity (peak power in 30-s Wingate test 6.9+/-1.8 W/kg, total work 162+/-43 j/kg) were significantly lowered with respect to the control group (n=30). Habitual activity (questionnaire) in MR boys included only 20-30 min of leisure time physical activity and/or sports per day on the average. Their energy intake (questionnaire) ranged 9.5-16.9 MJ per day with a ratio of carbohydrates: fats: proteins of 57 : 31 : 12 (controls 54 :34 : 12). MR boys had normal total blood cholesterol (4.5+/-0.7 mmol/l) but lowered HDL-chol. (1.3+/-0.3 mmol/l) and elevated triacylglycerols (1.2+/-0.4 mmol/l). The results showed that regardless of any signs of obesity in MR boys at present, their hypokinetic style of life, associated with lowered physical fitness, may contribute to enhanced health risks in the future. Thus, efforts must be directed to special therypeutic and preventive programs of recreational physical activities and sports for children with MR. Verf.-Referat