Participation in sport and physical activity in adults with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Background People with intellectual disability face a number of barriers to participation in physical activity. This paper aimed to determine rates of sport and physical activity participation in an Australian sample of adults with intellectual disability, compared with rates of participation in the general Australian population. A secondary aim was to investigate factors that may contribute to participation of adults with intellectual disability. Method Participants were part of the Australian Child to Adult Development (ACAD) study, consisting of a community sample with intellectual disability (n = 305), groups of adults with autism (n = 94), Down syndrome (n = 64), fragile X syndrome (n = 52), Williams syndrome (n = 45), and Prader–Willi syndrome (n = 30). Participation in sport/physical activity was reported over the past 3 months. Rates of participation were reported for adults with intellectual disability and compared with rates in a general Australian population sample. The relationship between participation in physical activity and age, degree of intellectual disability, physical mobility, living situation, socio‐economic disadvantage, and behaviour and emotional problems were also conducted. Results Participants in the ACAD community sample with intellectual disability participated in sport/physical activity at lower rates than the general Australian population (42% compared with 71%). Having no physical mobility impairment was significantly associated with higher rates of participation. Those with Down syndrome participated in sport/physical activity at higher rates than the community sample with intellectual disability, while no difference in sport/physical activity participation was observed in the groups with autism or other syndromes. Conclusion Australian adults with intellectual disability participate in sport and physical activity at lower rates than the general population. Having a physical mobility impairment was associated with lower rates of participation. However, people living in supported accommodation were more likely to participate than those in other living situations. Having Down syndrome was associated with a higher participation rate than the community sample.

Physical Activity in Patients with Prader-Willi Syndrome—A Systematic Review of Observational and Interventional Studies

“…No significant association was reported with body fat in either children or adults with PWS [ 7 , 10 , 31 , 32 ]. Reported participation in sports and PA was not found to be associated with physical function in children with PWS [ 28 ] but a trend towards an association between daily steps and walking capacity ( p = 0.13) was reported in adults with PWS [ 10 ]. Finally, in children with PWS, no significant association was found between habitual PA and a composite score of metabolic syndrome [ 7 ], markers of inflammation [ 7 ], behavior and emotional problems [ 28 ], or the degree of intellectual disability [ 28 ].…”

“…This systematic review described the level of habitual PA and sedentary behavior in children and adults with PWS. Findings from 14 studies were synthetized, of which 12 studies provided an objective measure of PA or PA-related energy expenditure using accelerometers [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 26 , 31 ], pedometers [ 20 , 22 ], or indirect calorimetry measures in a metabolic chamber [ 29 , 32 ], and two studies provided a self-reported measure of PA [ 28 , 30 ]. The total volume of PA was consistently found to be lower in patients with PWS compared to patients with non-syndromic obesity [ 8 , 26 , 29 , 32 ].…”

Active Time in Cooperative Activities, Quality of Life and Body Mass Index in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. A Model of Structural Equations

“…Furthermore, with regard to the relationship between age and time spent exercising, we found that as subjects with IDs age, they dedicate more time to participating in cooperative physical activities. This could be the result of the well-being that physical activity provides, the benefits that exercise can lead to, a greater awareness of the importance of exercise for one's health, or because it is an important source of social interaction [50,51].…”

Differences in Health-Related Fitness Variables between Adult Athletes and Non-Athletes with Down Syndrome: A Descriptive Study

“…Individuals with DS have lower aerobic capacity, lower peak heart rates, and lower levels of isokinetic muscular strength [2]. Various scholars recommend health maintenance through regular physical activity for adults with DS [3]. The positive relationship between physical fitness and health is well studied [4].…”

“…Furthermore, the sedentary lifestyle of this population is often associated with obesity and low levels of physical fitness. Although opportunities to participate and compete in sports are available through the Special Olympics and other organizations, for example, not everyone with ID participates in organized sports activities [3,12]. For these reasons, we believe that presenting objective data will encourage the guardians of this population to enroll people with DS to practice and participate in sports.…”