Open AccessHealth‐promoting physical activity of adults with mental retardation
Author(s) -
Stanish Heidi I.,
Temple Viviene A.,
Frey Georgia C.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
mental retardation and developmental disabilities research reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1098-2779
pISSN - 1080-4013
DOI - 10.1002/mrdd.20090
Subject(s) - physical activity , proxy (statistics) , mental health , psychology , gerontology , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , developmental psychology , psychiatry , computer science , machine learning
This literature review describes the physical activity behavior of adults with mental retardation consistent with the U.S. Surgeon General's recommendation of 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on 5 or more days per week. The proportion of participants achieving this criterion ranges from 17.5 to 33%. These data are likely to be generous estimates of activity as individuals included in physical activity studies to date have been relatively young and healthy volunteers with mild to moderate limitations. Major sources of physical activity were walking and cycling for transport, chores and work, dancing, and Special Olympics. There is a pressing need to conduct studies using appropriately powered representative samples and to validate measures that assess physical activity less directly; including methodologies in which proxy respondents are used. Accurate information about existing patterns of behavior will enhance the development of effective strategies to promote physical activity among persons with mental retardation. MRDD Research Reviews 2006;12:13–21. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.