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Introduction - Benefits of Fitness for People with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities

Physical activity gives many benefits, including

• decreased likelihood of obesity
  
• weight management
  
• improvements in mood and
  
• even an increased likelihood of maintaining an independent lifestyle later in life.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with disabilities are less likely to engage in physical activity, despite the fact that they too could enjoy these many benefits.

In fact, the benefits of physical activity for people with disabilities can be even greater than for the average population because they are an at-risk population for a number of other complications.

This PowerPoint presentation (created by Sarah Oliver, Physical Therapy student) is designed to help service providers to

• increase their awareness of the barriers to physical activity for people with disabilities and
  
• provide the foundational knowledge necessary to help providers begin to help clients with disabilities to incorporate physical activity into their lives.

Resources for further support and/or information are included, as well as a list of references from which the presentation information was obtained.

To view supportive statistics and other factual information, change the view of the presentation to “notes page” under the “view” menu.

Physical Activity for people with disabilties

This section was written by Sarah Oliver, Physical Therapy student.

Benefits of Physical Activity

• Improves mood
• Combats depression and anxiety
• Decreases blood pressure
• Improves strength and endurance
• Controls arthritis symptoms
• Independence

As if that’s not enough…People with disabilities are…

• Less likely to be physically active
• More likely to be obese
• More likely to be depressed
• At risk of other secondary conditions

Fast Facts

• One in 5 Americans report either having a disability or limitation in major life activities.

• According to the 2002 National Health Interview Survey, adults with disabilities were less likely to engage in moderate physical activity (22% of people with disability, compared with 34% of people without a disability). Similarly, only 14% of adults with disabilities engaged in vigorous physical activity compared to 25% of people without disabilities. When looking at leisurely activity choices, 56% of adults with a disability reported no leisure-time physical activity compared with 36% of people without a disability.

• In 2004, 53% of people with disability reported no leisure-time physical activity and only 18% reported regular amounts of moderate to vigorous physical activity.

• Among people with disabilities, 27.4% are considered obese compared with 16.5% of people without disabilities.

• People with disabilities are more likely to report feelings of sadness and depression (28% of adults, 31% of children)

• Secondary conditions include respiratory infections, skin breakdown, etc.

Barriers to Physical Activity

• Limited accessibility

• Transportation issues

• High costs

• Lack of support

• Health concerns/Injury potential

Did you know?
Fitness facilities are obligated to provide accessible parking, access routes, and bathrooms. However, the present Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines lack enforceable requirements concerning other areas and features of health clubs, including locker rooms, exercise equipment areas, swimming pools, fitness center policies and procedures, and programs.

People with disabilities are nearly twice as likely as people without disabilities to have an annual household income of $15,000 or less.

Overcoming the Hurdles

• Be supportive

• Are you a role model?

• Look into available resources in your area

• Receive guidance from a physician or other appropriate service provider

 

Overriding Excuses

• No time? Add activity to their daily routine

• Don’t like to exercise? Make it fun

• Painful arthritis? Try exercising in water

 

Local Resources for the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia
National Capital Parks – East
(202) 690-5185

Disability Guide to Parks, sports, and recreation

The ARC of Maryland has scholarship money available for community integration.
Download the application here.

Best Buddies Maryland

Potomac Community Resources


National Resources
National Center on Physical Activity and Disability

“If I can do this, I can do anything!" Disabled Sports USA

Special Olympics

Multimedia Resources

Ease Into Fitness: Beginner Workout For People With Developmental Disabilities
On DVD or VHS

Preparing and Implementing a Training Workshop for Staff Members Initiating a Fitness Program for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Living in Group Homes. 2004 Sheila Ward, Healthy Virginians.
Powerpoint

References - Articles
Center J, Beange H, McElduff A. People with mental retardation have an increased prevalance of osteoporosis: a population study. Am J Ment Retard. 1998;103:19-28.

Frey GC, Buchanan AM, Rosser Sandt DD. “I’d rather watch TV”: An examination of physical activity in adults with mental retardation. Ment Retard. 2005:43;241-254.

Kinne S, Patrick DL, Doyle DL. Prevalence of secondary conditions among people with disabilities. Am J Public Health. 2004;94(3):443-445.

Rimmer JH, Riley B, Wang E, Rauworth A. Accessibility of health clubs for people with mobility disabilities and visual impairments. Am J Public Health. 2005;95(11):2022-2028.

Rimmer JH, Riley B, Wang E, Rauworth A, Jurkowski J. Physical activity participation among persons with disabilities; barriers and facilitators. Am J Prev Med. 2004;26(5):419-425.

References - Websites
• www.activelivingbydesign.org/fileadmin/template/documents/Dis_Factsheet.pdf
• www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/recommendations/index.htm
• www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/disab.htm
• www.disabilityfunders.org/disstats.html
• wonder.cdc.gov/data2010/

Resources for Consumers and Families

Exercise Fact Sheet (HTML) or full-text PDF (88 KB)

Family Food and Fitness: A Guide to Healthy Eating and Exercise offers information about two important steps in being healthy: (1) eat good foods and (2) exercise. Together these steps help us to be healthy and fit!

The M.E.E. (Move * Experience * Engage) Calendar
365 ideas - something to do for fun every day of the year!

Nutrition Spotlight: Healthy Grocery Shopping on a Budget
Planning ahead for your grocery store adventures can really make a difference in your checkbook. Many health professionals suggest we eat better or recommend that we eat certain foods for our health, but it can be overwhelming and expensive to sample the latest craze in healthy foods.

United Health Foundation - Did you know that you can talk to your doctor about losing weight and other health concerns?

Resources for Providers

Importance of nutrition in primary care

• Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005
  
  
• Steps to a Healthier You
  
  
• Center for Science in the Public Interest: nutrition policy

Moderate Weight Gain in Women Linked to GERD

New Recommendations Regarding Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes Issued

Exercise Lowers Dementia Risk in Older Adults; "Tremendous and Fertile Area of Research" for Intellectual Disability Field, Says Expert or full-text PDF (95 KB)

Falls Risk Prevention, Assessment and Intervention

Falls Risk Prevention powerpoint by Victoria Lamb, Doctor of Physical Therapy student