A pilot survey of physical activity in men with an intellectual disability

Abstract

People with intellectual disability (ID) are reported as a sedentary population with increased risks of poor health due to an inactive and sedentary lifestyle. As the benefits of physical activity are acknowledged, measuring physical activity accurately is important to help identify reasons for low and high physical activity in order to assist and maintain recommended levels for optimal health. This article reports a pilot study undertaken to validate the use of a physical activity monitor (Sensewear Armband) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) as instruments for measuring and exploring physical activity of men with ID. The design was a one-group descriptive study and the data were collected over a 7-day period from 17 men. The Sensewear Armband enabled continuous and long-term measurement of 14 objective physical activity metrics. The IPAQ examined details of physical activity reported over 7 days. Equivalent results were obtained from both the instruments, indicating a positive correlation between the Sensewear Armband and the IPAQ. The results show 50% have low activity levels, and the national recommended physical activity levels have been achieved at a very low active intensity. No sustainable high physical activity intensity levels were recorded. The results confirmed the Sensewear Armband and the IPAQ as a practical means of measuring and understanding physical activity levels in men with ID.

Pilot feasibility study of the Walking Away from Diabetes programme for adults with intellectual disabilities in two further education colleges: Process evaluation findings

“…Participants also engaged in low levels of physical activity, consistent with the findings of McKeon et al. (), who used the IPAQ alongside a physical activity monitor armband and found there to be no sustainable high physical activity intensity levels amongst men with intellectual disabilities in younger age groups (19–39 years). It has therefore been important to evaluate the potential for an intervention which aims at increasing physical activity in this population.…”

“…The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) asked participants about their physical activity across contexts. A pilot study by McKeon, Slevin, and Taggart () confirmed the IPAQ as a practical tool to use with people with intellectual disabilities in conjunction with measures of physical activity. Since this study was conducted, the IPAQ has been adapted and validated for people with intellectual disabilities in the DESMOND‐ID study (Taggart et al., ).…”

A feasibility study into the measurement of physical activity levels of adults with intellectual disabilities using accelerometers and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire

“…The systematic review by Dairo et al (2016) on PA levels of adults with intellectual disabilities showed that although several studies have used objective measures such as accelerometers (Barnes et al, 2013; Dixon-Ibarra, Lee, & Dugala, 2013;McKeon, Slevin, & Taggart, 2013;Phillips & Holland, 2011), they were limited to people with nonprofound intellectual disabilities. Also, they found that in studies that used subjective measures (Barnes et al, 2013;Hawkins & Look, 2006;McKeon et al, 2013), these were not validated in intellectual disabilities population, with the exception of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Additionally, they found that despite some of the studies using both objective and subjective methods, none included participants with profound intellectual disabilities.…”

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

“…For instance, it is well documented that people with ID have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity and osteoporosis (Khran & Fox ), which is partially attributed to the low level of physical activity that they usually show (McKeon et al . ). Therefore, promoting the performance of physical exercise has been regarded as a useful way to provide active ageing for this specific group (Heller & Sorensen ).…”