Physical fitness of trained runners with and without mild mental retardation

The purpose of this study was to compare physical fitness levels of trained runners with mild mental retardation (MMR) (7 males and 2 females, age = 28.7 +/- 7.4 years, weight = 67.0 +/- 11.7 kg) and those without (7 males and 2 females, age = 29.1 +/- 7.5, weight = 68.7 +/- 8.8 kg). Paired t tests revealed no differences between runners with and without MMR on measures of OO,peak (56.3 +/- 9.1 vs. 57.7 +/- 4.1 ml . kg(-1) . min(-1)), percent body fat (16.6 +/- 8.4 vs. 16.6 +/- 3.1), and lower back/hamstring flexibility (33.1 +/- 10.9 vs. 28.6 +/- 10.1 cm). Knee flexion (KF) and extension (KE) strength were significantly greater in runners without MMR compared to those with MMR (KF peak torque = 65.7 +/- 7.9 vs. 48.7 +/- 15.7 ft/lb; KE peak torque = 138.5 +/- 17.7 vs. 104.4 +/- 29.9 ft/lb). It was concluded that trained runners with MMR can achieve high levels of physical fitness comparable to individuals without MMR.