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

Overview

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.

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: Body mass index (BMI, kg/m²), calculated from height and weight. Upper limb strength, assessed by beanbag throwing distance (meters). Core strength, assessed by the number of correctly performed sit-ups within 1 minute. Lower limb explosive strength, assessed by standing long jump distance (meters). Static balance, assessed by one-leg standing time (seconds). These measures constitute the primary and secondary outcome variables for the study. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex) and basic clinical information were also recorded at baseline. Planned Data Analysis The primary analytic approach is to use generalized estimating equations (GEE) to model longitudinal changes in each fitness indicator across the 12 repeated assessments, accounting for within-subject correlation and unbalanced follow-up. Time (measurement occasion), age group at baseline (children vs adolescents), sex, and their interactions are included as predictors to estimate developmental trajectories and group differences. Analyses are conducted on the full cohort of 132 participants who contributed at least one measurement, consistent with an intention-to-follow principle for observational data. Ethical Considerations and Status The protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Shanghai University of Physical Education and Sport (Approval No. 102772020RT054). All assessments were conducted during regular school hours using low-risk, field-based tests appropriate for children and adolescents with SID. Data collection has been completed, and this record provides a transparent description of the study procedures and analysis plan.