Correlates of physical activity in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities: a systematic review

Abstract

Background Children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) participate in low levels of physical activity. To inform the development of interventions, we need to better understand factors associated with physical activity. The aim of this study was therefore to systematically review correlates of physical activity in children and adolescents with ID. Methods The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, ERIC, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched between 1 January 1990 and 29 February 2020 to identify English‐language studies, which examined correlates of free‐living physical activity in children and adolescents (0–19 years) with ID. Study quality was assessed. Correlates were analysed using a narrative synthesis and classified using the socioecological model as intrapersonal, interpersonal, organisational or environmental. Results Fifteen studies published between 2010 and 2019 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Forty‐eight individual correlates were identified. Studies were predominantly focused on intrapersonal‐level correlates. Of those correlates investigated in more than one study (n = 6), having better motor development was positively associated with physical activity. Inconsistent results were found for age and cardiorespiratory fitness. Sex, percentage body fat and body mass index were not correlated. No interpersonal‐level, organisational‐level or environmental‐level correlates were included in more than one study. Conclusions To date, we have limited and inconclusive evidence about correlates of physical activity in children and adolescents with ID. Only when future studies unravel correlates and determinants, across all domains of the socioecological model, will the potential opportunities to improve health by increasing physical activity levels be achievable.

Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity Participation among Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: A Scoping Review

“…This finding suggests a need for greater emphasis on home- and community-based programs that promote health wellness issues for this population to help understand the physical limitations that they may present, make appropriate adaptations to PA, and provide them with opportunities for PA participation [ 46 , 57 ]. The low motor development of children and adolescents with ID relates to their generally slow developing of basic physical skills required to be active, and increased motor development has been identified as an underlying mechanism to promote PA participation [ 9 , 19 , 71 ]. Thus, consideration of how to improve the physical fitness and motor skills of children and adolescents with ID may have a long-term influence on the amount of PA they undertake.…”

“…Furthermore, the use of the social ecological model allowed the researchers to explore the multiple influences on PA at different levels. It provided a framework to categorize factors and to highlight where previous research focused and what future research directions are required [ 19 ].…”

“…Many studies have examined factors impeding or facilitating PA participation among children and adolescents with ID. To date, two recent systematic reviews [ 19 , 20 ] synthesized the correlates of PA in children and adolescents with ID. One included 15 related studies published in the past 10 years and identified 48 individual correlates that were predominantly focused on intrapersonal level, such as motor development, age, and cardiorespiratory fitness [ 19 ].…”

“…To date, two recent systematic reviews [ 19 , 20 ] synthesized the correlates of PA in children and adolescents with ID. One included 15 related studies published in the past 10 years and identified 48 individual correlates that were predominantly focused on intrapersonal level, such as motor development, age, and cardiorespiratory fitness [ 19 ]. The other work included 10 studies and summarized 29 correlates at intrapersonal level, social level, and physical environmental level [ 20 ].…”

Intrapersonal, interpersonal and environmental correlates of moderate to vigorous physical activity and sedentary time in adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities

“…Correlates of PA have been extensively examined in children and adolescents who are typically developing (Sterdt et al 2014); however, little is known about correlates of PA in adolescents with IDD. In 2021, Sutherland et al (2021) completed a systematic review of correlates of physical activity in children and adolescents with IDD which included 15 studies published between 2010 and 2019. However, all the included studies focused on intrapersonal-level correlates, and no interpersonal-level correlates were included in more than one study.…”