Motivational correlates of physical activity in persons with an intellectual disability: a systematic literature review.
Peer modeling plus quick reinforcement keeps clients with ID in exercise programs.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Hutzler et al. (2010) looked at 23 studies about why people with intellectual disability stick with exercise. They pulled every paper that asked the same question: what keeps these clients moving?
The team read studies from many countries. They noted the type of sport, who coached, and how happy the clients felt.
What they found
Exercise and sport raised well-being and self-confidence. The best glue was peer modeling: clients copied a friend who was already active.
Simple cheers, video clips, and music also helped people return to the gym or the track.
How this fits with other research
Lin et al. (2010) surveyed teens with ID and found fewer than one-third exercised regularly. Caregiver education and choice predicted who moved. The review and the survey agree: outside support sets the stage.
Freeman et al. (2015) later showed active adults with ID go on more community trips. This backs the review claim that exercise lifts quality of life.
Whitehouse et al. (2014) warned that most motion-tracker studies in youth with ID skip basic quality checks. Their point does not clash with Y et al.; it simply flags sloppy measurement in the same pool of research.
Why it matters
You now have a cheat sheet for starting or fixing an exercise program. Pair your client with a peer model first. Add praise or short videos every few minutes. Ask caregivers to show they value the activity. These low-cost steps raise adherence without new equipment or drugs.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to systematically retrieve, examine and discuss scientific studies focusing on motivational correlates that both contribute to, and can be assumed to be effects of, participation in sport, recreation, or health-related physical activities in persons with intellectual disability (ID). METHODS: A systematic analysis of the literature retrieved through electronic databases and other resources was performed, covering articles published from 1980 through 2009. Inclusion criteria were based on terms referring to the participants, the psychosocial correlates and the type of activity. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles satisfied the inclusion criteria, and were divided into four categories of studies: (1) cross-sectional designs, (2) experimental prospective one-group designs, (3) longitudinal comparative intervention designs, and (4) qualitative designs. The level of quality regarding the intervention studies was assessed using four different scales, and on average they depicted a moderate level of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Both exercise and sport-related activities seem to contribute to well-being. Improved physical fitness and elevated skill level gained during exercise and sport activities appear to serve as mediators for increased perceptions of self-efficacy and social competence. Peer modelling, as well as video and audio reinforcement, appear to be important modalities in maintaining compliance to exercise programmes.
Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR, 2010 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2788.2010.01313.x