Motivational structure for the practice of physical activity in currently active people with intellectual disability

People with intellectual disabilities (PwID) are less physically active than the general population, contributing to health disparities. Understanding their motivational structure for physical activity (PA) can guide effective intervention. We investigate the motivational dimensions that characterise the practice of PA among PwID in Brazil and assess whether existing motivational frameworks apply to this population. We conducted an observational cross-sectional study utilising confirmatory factor analysis to assess whether the published five-dimension Motives for Physical Activity Measure-Revised (MPAM-R) structure applies to PwID. When this showed inadequate fit, we conducted exploratory factor analysis to identify the motivational structure that best represents the present sample. Exploratory factor analysis identified a three-dimensional motivational structure: (a) Appearance, (b) Social Connection, and (c) Personal Challenge. This three-factor solution reflects the best-fitting structure identified for the present sample and is presented here as an exploratory, sample-specific model requiring confirmatory replication in an independent sample. The solution explained 55.6% of the variance. Psychometric indices were adequate for Social Connection and Personal Challenge but below conventional thresholds for Appearance, so the model does not show uniformly good properties across dimensions. This 25-item, three-dimension structure provides a first description of PA motivation in currently active Brazilian PwID. As a hypothesis for future intervention and longitudinal research, PA programmes for active PwID might be organised around social connection and personal challenge, rather than the five-dimensional framework observed in general populations.