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Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR
12, 2020;64 (12): 908-922.

Participation in sport and physical activity in adults with intellectual disabilities.

R L Borland, N Hu, B Tonge, S Einfeld, K M Gray
Author Information
  1. R L Borland: Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ORCID
  2. N Hu: Population Child Health Research Group, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Australia.
  3. B Tonge: Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  4. S Einfeld: Centre for Disability Research and Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
  5. K M Gray: Centre for Developmental Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ORCID
PMID: 33006215 DOI: 10.1111/jir.12782

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.

Keywords

adults autism down syndrome intellectual disability physical activity sport

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MeSH Term

Adolescent
Adult
Australia
Child
Child, Preschool
Exercise
Female
Humans
Intellectual Disability
Male
Sports
Young Adult
Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Article has an altmetric score of 5

Word Cloud

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