Background: People with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience many health and social inequalities. Increasing physical activity is a proven intervention to address such inequalities, yet the physical activity rates of this population are substantially lower than the general population. Aim: Research has been growing to understand why this is…

Background: The objective was to review physical activity (PA) promotion interventions among individuals with intellectual disability and provide recommendations for increasing PA. Methods: A systematic mapping review was conducted in which physical activity intervention studies for adults with a disability were identified, selected, and…

People with intellectual disabilities show significantly lower levels of physical activity than the general population in respect to all consequences for health. A positive effect of physical activity on health preservation has been proven, but interventions for physical activity in everyday life seem to be rare for people with intellectual…

Background: The Reducing Disability in Alzheimer's Disease in Kansas City (RDAD-KC) intervention has been shown to improve the health of individuals with dementia and caregiver dyads. This manuscript reports the results of implementing the RDAD among individuals with intellectual disabilities and caregiver dyads. Methods: Nine community agencies…

Background: Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities tend to engage in low levels of physical activity, which puts them at risk for chronic health conditions, poor balance and gait difficulties. Nordic walking could improve gait, balance, strength, endurance and respiratory function while enjoying nature. Method: Thirty-four…

Background: People with intellectual disabilities (ID) depend on their environment to live healthily. Asset-based health promotion enhances a settings' health-promoting capacity starting with identifying protective or promotive factors that sustain health. Method: This inclusive mixed-methods study used group sessions to generate and rank ideas on…

The novel coronavirus may impact exercise habits of those with intellectual disabilities. Due to the mandated discontinuation of face-to-face research, investigators must adapt projects to protect all involved while collecting objective physical activity metrics. This brief report outlines a modification process of research methods to adhere to…

To address health disparities of adults with intellectual disability (ID), the Kansas Disability and Health Program developed the "Stoplight Healthy Living" program to promote good nutrition and increased physical activity. The program is based in part on the Stoplight Diet, which uses a color-coded system to teach healthy food choices.…

Background: Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) have very low physical activity and low peak oxygen uptake (VO[subscript 2peak]), potentially explained by physiologically lower peak heart rates (HR[subscript peak]). Method: The present authors performed a retrospective analysis of a large data set of individuals with intellectual…

Adults with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability often do not engage in healthy levels of physical activity despite its many benefits. We conducted a randomized control trial to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of the Step It Up program, which used supported self-management strategies, on daily step counts, health…

This study assessed a technology-aided program (monitoring responding, and ensuring preferred stimulation and encouragements) for promoting physical activity with 11 participants with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Each participant was provided with an exercise device (e.g. a static bicycle and a stepper) and exposed to…

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…

This study evaluates a multifactorial school-based intervention with the aim of decreasing cardiometabolic risk factors by means of a healthy lifestyle, primarily with daily physical activity and healthy food during school hours, at an upper secondary school for students with intellectual disabilities. The outcome is measured in terms of…