Facilitators and Barriers to Physical Activity as Perceived by Older Adults With Intellectual Disability

Abstract

Older people with intellectual disability (ID) are characterized by low physical activity (PA) levels. PA is important for reducing health risks and maintaining adequate fitness levels for performing activities of daily living. The aim of this study was to explore preferences of older adults with ID for specific physical activities, and to gain insight into facilitators and barriers to engaging into PA. Fourteen in-depth interviews and four focus groups were undertaken, with a total of 40 older adults with mild and moderate ID included in the analysis. NVivo software was used for analysing the transcribed verbatim interviews. In total, 30 codes for facilitators and barriers were identified. Themes concerning facilitators to PA were enjoyment, support from others, social contact and friendship, reward, familiarity, and routine of activities. Themes concerning barriers to PA were health and physiological factors, lack of self-confidence, lack of skills, lack of support, transportation problems, costs, and lack of appropriate PA options and materials. The results of the present study suggest that older adults with ID may benefit from specific PA programs, adapted to their individual needs and limitations. Results can be used for developing feasible health promotion programs for older adults with ID.

Qualitative evaluation of a physical activity health promotion programme for people with intellectual disabilities in a group home setting

“…Sites that described more success with the programme provided facilitators that aided with implementation and felt positively about the programme materials. The facilitators discussed by these sites (i.e., making activity fun, providing choices and spending time with staff) were consistent with the literature (Bodde & Seo, ; Dixon‐Ibarra et al., ; Frey et al., ; Mahy et al., ; van Schijndel‐Speet et al., ). Similar to Humphries et al.…”

“…Sites that described more success with the programme provided facilitators that aided with implementation and felt positively about the programme materials. The facilitators discussed by these sites (i.e., making activity fun, providing choices and spending time with staff) were consistent with the literature (Bodde & Seo, 2009;Dixon-Ibarra et al, 2016;Frey et al, 2005;Mahy et al, 2010;van Schijndel-Speet et al, 2014). Similar to Humphries et al (2008) pilot intervention of Menu-Aidds nutritional programme for the group home setting, the current pilot had group home sites that were "too busy" to fully implement the programme and other sites that had positive attitudes towards implementation, perhaps indicating staff 's readiness to implement a health promotion programme varied.…”

“…In order to increase activity in this population, barriers for participation need to be addressed. While persons with intellectual disabilities are faced with similar barriers to DIXON-IBARRA et Al. physical activity as the general population (e.g., increasing age, low self-efficacy, lack of interest, preference for sedentary behaviours, availability of resources, safety and built environment), this population also has barriers related to restrictive environments and negative physical activity supports from caregivers within residential settings (Bodde & Seo, 2009;Dixon-Ibarra, Driver, Vanderbom, & Humphries, 2016;van Schijndel-Speet, Evenhuis, van Wijck, van Empelen, & Echteld, 2014;Taliaferro & Hammond, 2016).…”

Feasibility of a dance and exercise with music programme on adults with intellectual disability

“…To motivate adults with ID to do exercise, it seems important to previously identify the type of activity that could generate greater acceptance and higher levels of adherence. In this respect, van Schijndel‐Speet, Evenhuis, van Wijck, van Empelen & Echteld () reported that both dance and activities with musical support were some of the favourite pastimes of older adults with ID. It has been observed that dancing constitutes a very positive stimulus that can help to increase the practice of physical activity in people with ID (Shih & Chiu ).…”

Barreiras e facilitadores para a atividade física das pessoas com déficit intelectual

“…Esse resultado corrobora com outros estudos que mostram que as questões financeiras, falta de opções, a falta de apoio social e de apoio político e financeiro, instalações acessíveis, a proximidade da localização, boas oportunidades para a prática, pessoas especializadas, interferem e são preditores de baixo nível de AF para pessoas com DI [21][22] . Um estudo também mostrou que a questão mais crítica para o baixo nível de AF foi a falta de políticas claras.…”