Impact of the Unidiversidad Summer Campus on the physical activity levels of young people with intellectual disabilities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v72.117208Keywords:
Accelerometry , physical activity, intellectual disability, sedentary lifestyle, UnidiversidadAbstract
Introduction: Intellectual disability is a condition that limits intellectual and adaptive development, affecting participation in physical activities and favouring a sedentary lifestyle, which has a negative impact on quality of life.
Objective: To analyse the self-reported and objective levels of sedentary lifestyles and physical activity of young university students with intellectual disabilities during their participation in the University Summer Campus: ENFOCAD2023.
Methodology: A quasi-experimental study was carried out at the Unidiversity Summer Campus ENFO-CAD2023 in which 41 young people with intellectual disabilities (16 men and 25 women) participated. Physical activity levels were measured subjectively using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-S) before and after the intervention (pre-test and post-test), and objectively using accelerometry after the intervention.
Results: Results revealed a significant increase (p = <.001) in self-reported physical activity levels, although accelerometry data showed significant differences with subjective data (p = <.001). Differences were observed between men and women, with more time spent in light-intensity activities in women and greater variability in moderate activities in men. The degree of disability was not a determining factor.
Discussion: The University Summer Campus: ENFOCAD2023 improved physical activity levels of participants with intellectual disabilities, highlighting the importance of adapted and cooperative programmes. Subjective and objective measurements showed discrepancies, underestimating self-reported time in sedentary behaviours and overestimating vigorous activity.
Conclusions: This research highlights the limitations of self-report measures in the intellectually disabled population and the importance of using objective tools such as accelerometry. It also supports the implementation of interventions to promote physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in this population.
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