Using Dance to Promote Physical Activity and Fitness Among Adolescent Girls with Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Girls with intellectual disabilities (ID) exhibit poor fitness and low physical activity (PA) levels, and are considered a vulnerable, at-risk population. Girls with ID have limited access to many PA opportunities, but dance is accessible, widely available, and perceived as enjoyable. PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a 12-week dance intervention to promote engagement in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and increase cardiorespiratory (CR) fitness among girls with ID ages 16-21. METHODS: The intervention was implemented in 3 urban communities and included two 75-minute weekly dance sessions. Dance styles included hip hop, jazz, and modern; the choreography and session structure were designed to promote MVPA. Continuous heart rate (HR) monitoring (Polar® E600) was used for motivation and to record time spent below/in/above each girl’s target HR (THR) zone (60-80% HRmax). Pre- and post-test CR fitness was measured by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Survey items assessed enjoyment and satisfaction. RESULTS: 18 adolescent girls (17.3 ± 2.7 y) with ID completed the intervention. Attendance was high; girls attended an average of 87% of dance sessions (range 67% - 100%). Overall, girls spent 52% (± 23%) of each session engaged in MVPA; defined as in or above their individual THR zone. Engagement level was quite variable; one girl averaged 4% of the dance session in her THR zone and another averaged 94%. When queried weekly about their PA intensity during the sessions, 11 of 18 girls reported that they worked “really hard” at every session. We observed a mean increase of 74.6 feet in distance walked on the 6MWT baseline to post-test (n=14); however, this difference was not significant (p=0.17). Post-intervention surveys indicated that girls “liked” the dance program (14 of 17), perceived improved fitness (15 of 17), and wished to continue dancing (15 of 17). Most girls reported a preference for a girls-only dance program and a program exclusively for those with ID. CONCLUSION: Participants engaged in dance at an MVPA intensity level for over half of the 75-minute sessions, supporting that dance is viable for promoting PA for girls with ID. Girls expressed their enjoyment of the program and wanted to continue beyond the 12-week program. More frequent training is likely needed to increase CR fitness.