Aging on the Autism Spectrum: Self-care Practices and Reported Impact on Well-Being.
Adults with IDD rarely hit exercise targets, and the barrier is usually getting there, not willingness.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team asked the adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities about exercise. They used a national phone survey that tracks health habits in the U.S.
Each person answered how often they walk, garden, dance, or do other moderate activities. The study then compared their answers to the standard adult goal of 150 minutes per week.
What they found
Only 13 out of every the adults with IDD met the goal. That is less than half the rate for other adults.
The big predictor was simple: people who could get to a park, mall, or gym on their own were far more active. Living near a safe place to move mattered more than age, weight, or income.
How this fits with other research
Parsons et al. (2019) already showed that autistic adults over 40 carry more heart and sleep problems. Low exercise is likely one reason why.
Chan et al. (2021) found that kids with autism gain social and communication skills when they join structured sports. The new data say the need for movement does not end at 21.
Tse (2020) proved a 12-week jogging plan calms behavior in elementary kids. Gandhi et al. (2022) now hint the same cheap fix could help adults, but only if they can reach it.
Why it matters
You can write exercise goals into adult plans, but first check transport. Ask: "Can the client walk to the Y alone?" If not, add travel training, buddy systems, or virtual classes. One solved trip can turn a sedentary client into someone who meets health guidelines and cuts future medical bills.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have sedentary lifestyles. AIMS: (a) compare adults with IDD with the general adult population on adherence to U.S. physical activity (PA) guidelines, and (b) determine what factors predict adherence to PA guidelines by adults with IDD. METHODS: We compared adults with IDD from the 2011-2012 National Core Indicators Adult Consumer Survey (NCI-ACS) with the general U.S. population on meeting PA guidelines. We examined the association of demographic, diagnostic, mobility, health and community participation variables with meeting PA guidelines by adults with IDD. RESULTS: The rate for adults with IDD meeting PA guidelines (13.5%) was less than half that of the general population (30.8%). Among adults with IDD, at-risk groups included those with more severe disability, Down syndrome, mobility impairments, obesity, poor health, mental illness, no independent access to community exercise, and less frequent participation in community exercise. Going out for exercise was the only form of community participation associated with meeting PA guidelines. People who accessed the community for exercise independently (i.e., alone) were more likely to meet PA guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions aimed at increasing PA for people with IDD should consider these factors in their design.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2022 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2017.01.009