Does physical activity differ between youth with and without intellectual disabilities?

The study was cross-sectional and compared groups at one time, so it cannot show why activity levels differ or whether an intervention would change them. The sample was a small convenience sample from New England, mostly white, and the group sizes were uneven, so results may not apply to other regions or racial groups. Youth with intellectual disabilities were older than typically developing youth, and the intellectual disability group was allowed up to age 21 while the comparison group was up to age 18. Participants with physical disabilities or mobility impairments were excluded, so the study does not describe youth with intellectual disabilities who need more support to move. The activity interview relied on one-year recall, was answered more by parents for youth with intellectual disabilities, and did not measure how long or how intensely activities were done. Youth with intellectual disabilities wore the accelerometer for fewer minutes than typically developing youth, although wear time did not track with activity counts or moderate-to-vigorous minutes.

The supplied article metadata indicates NIH extramural research support. No author conflict-of-interest declaration is included in the text.

Do not conclude that youth with intellectual disabilities take part in fewer activities or are less interested. The interview showed males had similar activity variety and frequency, and females with intellectual disabilities reported more activities and higher monthly frequency than females without intellectual disabilities. The accelerometry difference was in minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity, and the interview did not measure duration or intensity.