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Levels of engagement and barriers to physical activity in a population of adults with learning disabilities
Author(s) -
Hawkins Andrew,
Look Roger
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
british journal of learning disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1468-3156
pISSN - 1354-4187
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3156.2005.00381.x
Subject(s) - mood , physical activity , population , learning disability , psychology , accommodation , sample (material) , gerontology , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , medicine , physical therapy , environmental health , chemistry , chromatography , neuroscience
Summary This study examined levels of, and barriers to, physical activity in a population of 19 adults with learning disabilities living in community supported accommodation, using diary records and semi‐structured interviews with staff. The levels of physical activity were higher in the sample population than previous figures for adults with learning disabilities, but lower than figures for the general population. The five main barriers to physical activity identified by staff were: clients’ lack of understanding of the benefits of exercise; client mood; client lack of awareness of available options for physical activity; risk assessment issues and financial constraints.