Measuring physical fitness in persons with severe or profound intellectual and multiple disabilities

PhD ceremony: Ms. A. Waninge, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Title: Measuring physical fitness in persons with severe or profound intellectual and multiple disabilities

Promotor(s): prof. C.P. van der Schans, prof. B. Steenbergen

Faculty: Medical Sciences

The purpose of this research was to examine the feasibility, validity and test-retest reliability of physical fitness tests for persons with severe and profound intellectual and visual (multiple) disabilities. The main products of this thesis are feasible, valid and reliable tests of physical fitness for these persons, which are ready to be implemented into daily practice. An important finding is that disabled persons are able to learn and become accustomed to test and measurement situations under the condition that an optimal test environment is created. The development of specific physical activity programmes is crucial to improve both mental and physical health, wellbeing, participation and the quality of life of people with severe and profound intellectual and visual (multiple) disabilities.