Barriers, enjoyment, and preference for physical activity among adults with intellectual disability

Many adults with an intellectual disability exhibit low physical activity levels. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between participation in physical activity/sedentary behaviour and factors consistent with behavioural choice theory: enjoyment, preference, and barriers. Examination of these relationships increases our understanding of physical activity behaviour among adults with an intellectual disability. A descriptive correlational design was used. Steps per day of adults with intellectual disability (n = 37) were measured using pedometers for 1 week and associations with barriers, enjoyment, and preference were computed from participant's survey responses. Average steps per day ranged from 1658 to 19 303 (M = 8100.5+/-3735.4). Linear regression showed that barriers to physical activity and preference for sedentary behaviour were significant predictors of steps per day R = 0.533 (P = 0.009); which accounted for 28.4% of the variance in steps per day. The factor that stands out from this study for the least active individuals was accessibility of physical activity options. Ensuring that the effort needed to engage in physical activity is manageable and perceived as achievable is important. In addition, the higher preference for sedentary activity among the least active individuals suggests that it will be valuable to examine what attracts adults with an intellectual disability to particular physical activities and what aspects of participation they find reinforcing.