Effect of a multicomponent intervention to promote physical activity in adults with intellectual disabilities

Physical activity levels are very low in adults with intellectual disabilities
(ID), and physical activity promotion for the general population is not
feasible in this group, due to the specific characteristics of adults with ID
and specific characteristics of their support/care setting.

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a multicomponent
intervention in promoting physical activity among adults with ID.

Quasi-experimental repeated measures design

After a control period of 12 weeks, the entire study sample receives the
12-week intervention which aims at changing behavior of adults with ID
(increase of physical activity) and changing behaviour of primary care givers
(integrate sufficient physical activity in their daily support or care). The
intervention starts with a Quickscan, after which the staff and the clients
participate in an education session about the relevance of physical activity
and possibilities to be active for people with chronic illnesses. The primary
care givers receive advice from a physical activity coach, based on the results
of the Quickscan. After setting goals for 12 weeks, the physical activity coach
continues to coach the primary care givers throughout the process, and visits
the living facility twice to demonstrate easy group activities. Participants
receive a T-shirt with bag at the start, and a medal and certificate at the
end, and the team as a whole collect symbolic euro*s every time a participant
completes a Quickscan.

Participants take part in a Quickscan, four times throughout the process of 36
weeks. This Quickscan consists of an interview and low intensity , non-invasive
and painless tasks, except for two submaximal tests. The safety of executing
these two tests is screened on beforehand and checked with a physician in case
of doubt. If safety is not sufficiently confirmed, these two tests are left out
in the Quickscan. Risk of adverse events due to exercise is kept as low as
possible with this procedure. During the Quickscan and the intervention itself,
the individual risk of falling needs to be continuously monitored, as changes
in lifestyle might pose new situations. Furthermore, this intervention takes
the preferences and possibilities of the participants into account when giving
individual advice, which results in a tailored, individual advice. The physical
activity coach advices how to increase physical activity gradually, in small
steps, to prevent injuries or muscle soreness. These small risks do not
outweigh the advantages of a healthy lifestyle, and since this intervention is
designed for adults with ID, this study could not be tested in other
populations.