Exercise for People with Intellectual Disabilities

An Intellectual Disability (ID) is a life-long condition that is defined when a person has certain limitations in cognitive functioning and skills, including communication, social and self-care skills. In Australia, over half a million people have been diagnosed with an Intellectual Disability and it is highlighted that these people have a severe or profound limitation in their activities of daily living (Wen, 2008). The assistance for these individuals is focused on looking at their strengths, capabilities and the support they need to function at home, through school/work and in the community.

How can exercise help people with ID

Individuals with an Intellectual Disability experience all the same positive benefits from physical activity as individuals without a disability. Those who perform regular physical activity demonstrate an improved level of intellectual functioning, behaviour and physical health, which have been shown to directly affect the personality of people with ID. One of the most positive benefits physical activity can produce is an increase in their focus and ability to concentrate for increased periods of time. This happens through the increase in body movements causing stimulation in the brain to improve the efficiency of brain neurotransmitters. These are linked to the hormone called Dopamine, which assists in controlling attention levels (Bouzas, Martínez-Lemos and Ayán, 2018). When regular movement occurs, their ability to focus is maintained throughout the day providing increased productivity and learning opportunities.

Current guidelines recommend maintaining or building up to 150 minutes of exercise each week at a slow and progressed rate. In this case any exercise is good exercise and encouraging these individuals as much as possible to become physically active is imperative in maintaining independence and function in their lifetime.

Strategies for people with ID

• Exercise needs to be fun and invite active and engaging participation.
• Education for the caregivers and staff is essential in maintaining good levels of physical activity for the client.
• Empowering the caregivers to be more confident and in control of supporting their physical activity levels.
• Exercises need to be individualised and tailored to the person’s ability and not generalised to try and give them the fastest results.
• High levels of encouragement and connections highlighted towards the client’s goals and interests each session to have continue program adherence.

“An Intellectual disability does not define who a person is, how they should be treated or how they want to live, but should rather be treated with the same feelings, rights, and aspirations as everyone else“

(Inclusion Australia, 2022).

References

• Bouzas, S., Martínez-Lemos, R. and Ayán, C., 2018. Effects of exercise on the physical fitness level of adults with intellectual disability: a systematic review. Disability and Rehabilitation, 41(26), pp.3118-3140.
• Wen, X, 2008. Disability in Australia. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
• Inclusion Australia. 2022. What is intellectual disability? [online]