From Development To Global Implementation Of Special Olympics Fitness Programs For People With Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

PURPOSE: People with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at greater risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease compared to typically developing peers. People with ID face disparity and lack access to many healthcare services so community-based fitness and physical activity interventions can be crucial ways to improve health in this population at high risk. Yet, most fitness interventions are not designed for people with intellectual disabilities (ID), often due to cost, accessibility, and literacy level. Special Olympics Inc. (SOI), a leading non-profit sports organization for people with ID, has made it a priority to improve health in the ID population through increasing fitness and physical activity. METHODS: This case study describes the process of developing and implementing fitness models for people with ID. Special Olympics Inc. (SOI) assessed fitness activities being done in local Special Olympics Programs (SO Programs) for effectiveness, feasibility, replicability, and scalability. Then, SO Programs were funded to continue fitness activities and collect data. SOI endorsed three of these ‘fitness models’ that showed most promise. SOI then funded other SO Programs to implement the models between 2016-2018. The results from that implementation is assessed. RESULTS: 5481 individuals from 75 SO Programs in 48 countries participated. Key components of fitness models were group fitness sessions, including participants without ID, goal setting, and incentives. Over 90% of SO Programs collected baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure in >80% of participants. Programs were less likely to have >80% completed baseline data for weight (76.7% of programs), height (75.0%), and BMI (75.0%). For those that started in 2016, >99% had data from two time points. In 2017, 88.8% had two data time points or more and in 2018 70.1% had data from 2 or more time points. SO Programs reported participants were empowered and were motivated by the incentives. Getting buy in from participants families and the community greatly improved the implementation. However, data collection issues were common. CONCLUSION: Based on the ability to enroll participants, collect data, and implement the activities, SOI fitness models may be a feasible fitness intervention for people with ID. Supported by CDC Grant U27 DD001156.