Promoting Public Health Guidelines in Physical Activity for People with Disabilities

There is a lack of evidence-based data on the potential impact of physical activity in achieving certain health outcomes in people with disabilities. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to examine the evidence on the effects of physical activity in improving health among people with disabilities. 139 exercise trials were identified across 11 physical and cognitive disability subgroups under six categories of health: Cardiorespiratory, Musculoskeletal, Functional, Mental, Healthy Weight and Metabolic Health, and Secondary Conditions. To determine the strength of evidence, each health outcome was categorized by level of evidence according to the following criteria: Strong: >75% of reported health outcome was significant; Moderate: 50-75% of reported health outcome was significant; Limited: <50% of studies reported significant findings. Two or more studies with significant findings on the identified health outcome were required for classification into the strong or moderate levels of evidence. Based on this classification scheme, there was strong evidence among select disability groups on the use of physical activity in improving cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, functional, and mental health; moderate evidence for reducing secondary conditions; and limited evidence for reducing body weight and improving metabolic health. Promoting public health guidelines in physical activity for people with disabilities requires a coordinated effort among public health professionals and federal agencies in identifying evidence-based interventions that have documented success for improving key outcomes in select disability groups.

CDC Grant#5U59DD522742; NIDRR grant #H133 B040034