European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity 18, 18 (2025) | DOI: 10.5507/euj.2025.012

Exploring the associations between physical fitness components and physical activity during gameplay in Special Olympics Unified Cup athletes

Franziska Loetzner1,*, Leah R. Ketccheson1, Michael VanNostrand2, E. Andrew Pitchford3
1 Division of Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Science, Wayne State University
2 Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University
3 College of Health, Oregon State University

Special Olympics provides health and sport opportunities to more than 4 million individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participation in physical activity can promote components of physical fitness in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Health-related physical fitness is closely associated with physical activity, yet individuals with disabilities are less likely to meet physical activity recommendations than the general public. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between physical fitness and physical activity during gameplay among Special Olympics athletes who participated in the 2022 Unified Cup in Detroit, Michigan. On-field physical activity and physical fitness data were collected from 70 Special Olympics athletes (male = 34; female = 36) during group-stage gameplay at the 2022 Unified Cup. Adequate or “healthy” performance on physical fitness components ranged from 47% to 97%. Associations between on-field physical activity and components of physical fitness were observed for hamstring flexibility, handgrip strength, blood pressure, and weight status. The strongest association observed was between on-field physical activity and athlete sex; thus, all analyses were conducted for the full sample and stratified by sex. These findings highlight the varying levels of physical fitness in Special Olympics athletes and suggest that several fitness components may relate to soccer gameplay. Findings should be utilized to reassess measurements and physical fitness evaluation in Healthy Athletes Screenings at Special Olympics events.

Keywords: intellectual and developmental disabilities; health screenings; flexibility; grip strength; energy expenditure

Received: November 13, 2024; Revised: June 28, 2025; Accepted: August 20, 2025; Published online: August 3, 2026  Show citation

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Loetzner, F., Ketccheson, L.R., VanNostrand, M., & Andrew Pitchford, E. (2025). Exploring the associations between physical fitness components and physical activity during gameplay in Special Olympics Unified Cup athletes. European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, 18, Article 18. https://doi.org/10.5507/euj.2025.012
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