Title
Facilitators and barriers to physical activity as perceived by older adults with intellectual disability
Author
van Schijndel-Speet, M.
Evenhuis, H.M.
van Wijck, R.
van Empelen, P.
Echteld, M.A.
Publication year
2014
Abstract
Older people with intellectual disability (ID) are characterized by low physical activity (PA) levels. PA is important for reducing health risks and maintaining adequate fitness levels for performing activities of daily living. The aim of this study was to explore preferences of older adults with ID for specific physical activities, and to gain insight into facilitators and barriers to engaging into PA. Fourteen in-depth interviews and four focus groups were undertaken, with a total of 40 older adults with mild and moderate ID included in the analysis. NVivo software was used for analysing the transcribed verbatim interviews. In total, 30 codes for facilitators and barriers were identified. Themes concerning facilitators to PA were enjoyment, support from others, social contact and friendship, reward, familiarity, and routine of activities. Themes concerning barriers to PA were health and physiological factors, lack of self-confidence, lack of skills, lack of support, transportation problems, costs, and lack of appropriate PA options and materials. The results of the present study suggest that older adults with ID may benefit from specific PA programs, adapted to their individual needs and limitations. Results can be used for developing feasible health promotion programs for older adults with ID. © AAIDD.
Subject
Behavioural Changes
LS - Life Style
ELSS - Earth, Life and Social Sciences
Healthy for Life
Safety
Healthy Living
Barriers
Facilitators
Health promotion
Intellectual disabilities
Physical activity
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:c51d1993-8e66-4d8d-a7e8-97ec27df0cf1
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1352/1934-9556-52.3.175
TNO identifier
513360
ISSN
1934-9556
Source
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 52 (3), 175-186
Document type
article