Review2009

The Benefits of Physical Activity for Youth with Developmental Disabilities: A Systematic Review

206 citations0/0 files storedAmerican Journal of Health Promotion

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Inclusion and Disability in Education and Sport Physical Activity and Health Down syndrome and intellectual disability research

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Analyze evidence of the benefits of physical activity for youth with developmental disabilities. DATA SOURCES: Key word searches for "disability," "physical activity," "exercise," "fitness," and "sport" in major databases. A total of 3263 citations was found. STUDY INCLUSION/EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Systematic reviews and articles about studies quantitatively examining the effects of physical activity in youth with developmental disabilities ages 0 to 20 years were included. Only articles published in English in peer-reviewed journals were included. DATA EXTRACTION: A Measurement Tool to Assess Reviews criteria were used for systematic reviews; Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, Evaluation criteria were used for observational studies; and Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome criteria were used for all studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: Data, shown in table format, were synthesized in relation to five research questions. RESULTS: Three systematic reviews and 14 studies were reviewed. Strong evidence indicated that children and adolescents with developmental disabilities derive health benefits from participation in group exercise programs, treadmill training, or therapeutic riding/hippotherapy. Lesser levels of evidence indicated that health benefits might be present for adapted skiing or aquatic programs. Documented benefits of physical activity include improvements in aerobic capacity, improved gross motor function, and high levels of participant/parent satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence exists that physical activity is beneficial for youth with developmental disabilities. Further research studies are needed that are of greater scientific rigor including larger sample sizes, control groups, and stringent, replicable methodology.

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2004Physical activity participation among persons with disabilities 2000Factors Influencing the Physical Activity Levels of Youths with Physical and Sensory Disabilities 2006Improving the use of research evidence in guideline development: 8. Synthesis and presentation of evidence

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2017Parental perceptions of facilitators and barriers to physical activity for children with intellectual disabilities: A mixed methods systematic review 2021The experiences and perceived health benefits of individuals with a disability participating in sport: A systematic review and narrative synthesis 2015The impact of intellectual disabilities on elite sports performance 2020Physical activity interventions to improve the health of children and adolescents in out of home care – A systematic review of the literature 2022The effect of a virtual reality exergame on motor skills and physical activity levels of children with a developmental disability 2021Time to be counted: COVID-19 and intellectual and developmental disabilities—an RSC Policy Briefing 2018Strategies to Promote the Inclusion of Young Adults With Developmental Disabilities in Community-Based Health Studies

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