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Research confirms the effectiveness of training based on specific sports discipline in the therapy of people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of climbing activities on the physical fitness of people with ID. This is a randomised, controlled trial. In total, 68 people with diagnosed mild or moderate intellectual disabilities took part in the study. An experimental group participated in the activities on an artificial climbing wall for a period of 15 weeks. The assessment of physical fitness included selected samples from the Eurofit and Eurofit Special tests set. Statistical analysis was carried out with Statistica 13 programme. After the end of the programme, the balance measured by a walk on a bench and the strength of upper limbs assessed by bent arm hang test, push a 2 kg medicine ball and dynamometric measurement of handgrip force were significantly improved in the experimental group. The index of the relative strength of both limbs, depending on body weight, also increased. Participation in climbing activities has a positive effect on the level of some components of the physical fitness of people with ID and maybe an alternative form of therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To estimate the changes in the prevalence of underweight among girls and boys living in Kraków that occurred between 1983 and 2010.Design: The study was based on two cross-sectional surveys conducted in 1983 and 2010. The prevalence of underweight was estimated based on the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut-off points.Setting: The study was conducted in Kraków, Poland.Participants: Children aged 3-18 years (n 5245).Results: Between 1983 and 2010 the prevalence of underweight decreased in both sexes. Using the IOTF criteria, the prevalence of underweight decreased from 10·5 to 10·3 % in girls and from 8·9 to 7·5 % in boys, but it was still higher in girls than in boys. According to the CDC criteria, this prevalence decreased from 5·1 to 4·4 % and from 5·9 to 4·6 %, respectively, and was slightly lower in girls. According to the IOTF criteria, underweight prevalence increased slightly during childhood in both sexes while according to the CDC criteria it decreased in boys and did not change in girls. Among juveniles and adolescents, it decreased regardless of the method used.Conclusions: The frequency of underweight in the population of children and adolescents from Kraków changed slightly in 1983 and 2010 despite economic and social changes. Depending on the cut-off points used, not only the magnitude but also the direction of changes between series could be different. In order to aid global monitoring, the prevalence of underweight as well as overweight should always be evaluated by several methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]