Daily physical activity in adults with mild and moderate learning disabilities: is there enough?
PURPOSE: Whilst the health benefits associated with regular physical activity are well known, little objective evidence exists regarding the activity profiles of adults with mild and moderate learning disabilities. The aims of the present study were to establish 7 day physical activity profiles for 24 adults with mild and moderate learning disabilities and to compare them with the general population and current Department of Health recommendations for physical activity. METHOD: A descriptive study was used, based on interviews with 24 adults with learning disabilities (mean age 34 years) triangulated by daytime and residential care workers. Participants volunteered from two residential homes and one social education centre (SEC) in a city in the North of England. RESULTS: The physical activity profiles show that the participants led sedentary lifestyles that were more exaggerated than those of the general population. Twenty-two participants (93%) performed significantly less than the m
