Sensory and balance impairments in Special Olympics athletes: An epidemiological study

J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2023 Dec;48(4):446-455. doi: 10.3109/13668250.2023.2220484. Epub 2023 Jun 18.

Abstract

Background: Having an intellectual disability increases the likelihood for exhibiting impairments in vision, hearing, and balance. The intersection of these issues has yet to be described in a large cohort.

Methods: By hosting the largest public health database for individuals with intellectual disability, Special Olympics (SO) offers ∼120,000 assessments completed at competitions between 2007 and 2018.

Results: Of SO athletes assessed for vision (N = 52,521), hearing (N = 35,073), and balance (N = 31,446), 74%, 28%, and 51% demonstrated a deficit, respectively. Thirteen percent of athletes presenting to three assessments (N = 7,887) showed concurrent impairments.

Conclusions: The high prevalence of sensory and balance impairments at younger ages (M = 28.8, SD = 14.15) compared to the general population highlights disparities faced by the intellectual disability community and should guide public health policy for improved screening and counselling.

Keywords: Intellectual disability; balance; developmental disability; hearing; vision.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Athletes* / statistics & numerical data
  • Child
  • Epidemiologic Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability* / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postural Balance* / physiology
  • Prevalence
  • Sensation Disorders / epidemiology
  • Sports for Persons with Disabilities
  • Vision Disorders / epidemiology
  • Young Adult