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…

Physical health habits including physical activity and nutrition are essential for numerous health benefits. However, beginning in childhood, individuals with intellectual disability engage in lower levels of physical activity and healthy nutrition habits compared to individuals without intellectual disability, a trend that carries on into…

Background: Children with intellectual disability are less physically active and more sedentary than typically developing peers. To date no studies have tested the feasibility of a school-based walking intervention for children with Intellectual Disability. Method: A clustered randomised controlled trial (cRCT), with an embedded process…

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: Only about 9% of individuals with intellectual disabilities reach the government's physical activity (PA) recommendations. Combining gamification and technology seems particularly promising in overcoming personal and environmental barriers to PA participation. Method: Eighteen adults with varying levels of intellectual disabilities…

Exercise is necessary for healthy living, yet individuals with intellectual disability (ID) remain strikingly inactive compared with nondisabled peers. To improve this outcome, individuals with ID can exercise independently by self-instructing. Self-instruction is considered a pivotal skill once it generalizes to untrained stimuli. This study used…

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: Interventions with active video games (AVGs) can promote physical activity (PA) and health and are compatible with a school setting. The needs of children with intellectual disability (ID) in this area have been neglected. Methods: A two-arm trial was conducted among 203 students with intellectual disability. The intervention group was…

Physical activity (PA) rates of adolescents with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are low and effective strategies for increasing PA are limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of a group-based PA intervention that was delivered remotely to adolescents with IDD. Participants attended 30-min group PA…

Background: People with intellectual disabilities (ID) often do not meet recommended guidelines for physical activity. The aim of this study was to systematically review available evidence that evaluated the effectiveness of interventions to increase physical activity in individuals with ID. Method: Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL,…

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at greater risk of health-related issues due to obesity and lack of physical activity. This study examined using virtual reality (VR) exergaming to increase the physical activity of high school students with IDD. Four students participated in this multiple probe across…

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…