Physical activity (PA) has been found to have a protective effect against depression. However, individuals who identify as sexual minorities are more likely to report experiencing depression. Currently, there is limited research examining the intersection of physical activity and sexual orientation in relation to depression. The purpose of this study is to explore how physical activity and sexual orientation interact to influence the risk of depression.

Methods:

Using the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, participants were categorized by sexual orientation (straight, gay, bisexual, and other) and depression diagnosis. PA levels and vigorous PA were assessed based on participants' self-reported leisure PA, considering frequency, duration, intensity, and type. Logistic regression analyses were performed, with depression diagnosis regressed onto PA-related variables, sexual orientation, and their interaction.

Results:

Among 57,621 participants, 91.49% (95% CI [91.07, 91.91]) identified as straight, and 78.78% (95% CI [78.18, 79.38]) did not have depression. Sexual minorities had higher depression rates compared to straight participants, with 32.78% of gay participants, 53.41% of bisexual participants, and 45.17% of those identifying as "other" reporting depression, compared to 18.88% of straight participants (F = 226.46, p < .01). Straight participants also had higher PA and vigorous PA levels compared to sexual minorities. Logistic regressions indicated that increased PA and vigorous PA were associated with a lower likelihood of depression (OR < 1, p < .05), while identifying as a sexual minority was associated with a higher likelihood of depression (OR > 1, p < .05). No significant interaction effect was found between PA variables and sexual orientation on depression diagnosis (p > .05).

Conclusions:

Increased participation in vigorous PA is associated with a decreased likelihood of depression, regardless of sexual orientation, underscoring the protective effects of engagement in PA on mental health. The effect of physical activity on depression diagnosis was not influenced by sexual orientation, indicating that individuals should be encouraged to participate in physical activity, regardless of sexual orientation. Future work should explore specific PA interventions to address barriers faced by sexual minorities in accessing PA, with the goal of promoting mental well-being.

Project ALL STAR is a longitudinal evaluation that aims to measure the physical, socio-emotional, and mental health impacts of participating in Special Olympics (SO). Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) is a method for developing personal goals and monitoring attainment over time. This pilot evaluation explores adapting (GAS) for use with adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) in Project ALL STAR to document athletes’ motivations and progress towards self-selected goals.

Methods:

Ten SO athletes were recruited in Pennsylvania. They participated in brief individual training in S.M.A.R.T. goal-setting. Each athlete established one 8-week goal based on their motivation for participating in SO. Goal progress was assessed using a 6-point scale at bi-weekly check-ins.

Results:

Athletes were 70% male and 25-55 years in age. Most expressed strong interest in establishing personal goals. Participant goals related to diet (n=2), weight (n=2), step count (n=5), and emotional health (n=1). Of the seven participants that completed the program at this time, six achieved or exceeded their goal within two months, according to self-report. Required adaptations included simplification of S.M.A.R.T. goal training, rewording of progress scale, and prompts for reporting. Efforts to anticipate barriers and to include a “validation” reporter were not successful.

Conclusion:

Preliminary data suggest that personal goal setting and monitoring is viable with SO athletes. Continued refinement in goal-setting and monitoring will allow meaningful implementation of GAS within Project ALL STAR. GAS has potential for broader applications with other intervention programs with adults with ID.

The Special Olympics DC EmpowerFit Adult Fitness Program seeks to address these challenges by providing tailored fitness education and training for adults with ID. This program examines the use of the TransTheoretical Model (TTM) and the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM). TTM tracks participants’ behavioral changes in adopting regular exercise, while SEM identifies barriers and facilitators at individual, social, organizational, community, and policy levels.

A Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach methodology ensures that individuals with ID and their families contribute to program development and evaluation. Preliminary findings suggest increased physical activity, healthier lifestyle choices, and improved social engagement among participants. These results highlight the importance of inclusive, community-driven fitness programs in reducing health disparities. This program will provide evidence-based strategies to promote long-term behavioral change, fostering equitable access to physical activity and improving public health outcomes for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Methods: An anonymous survey was administered to participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities aged 18 years or older at the Progression Across Transition in Healthcare Clinic at the University of Miami. Questions assessed demographics, health-related behaviors, barriers, and satisfaction with physician-provided lifestyle recommendations. Quantitative data from Likert scales was analyzed via descriptive statistics, while qualitative data was analyzed in Excel to identify recurring themes.

Results: Preliminary data has begun to identify a wide range of accommodations – e.g. fragrance-free zones, quieter rooms, personal trainers – to consider when providing exercise guidance to PWDs. Preliminary results suggest that PWDs understand exercise practices but do not receive adequate modifications from physicians tailored to disability. PWDs are satisfied with physician efforts and instead attribute these gaps to insufficient disability-specific education among healthcare providers.

Conclusion/Significance: This study serves as a model for medical professionals to identify gaps in exercise treatment for PWDs. Ongoing data collection and analysis will assess healthcare inequities among PWDs and help develop a baseline database of accessible exercises for PWDs that can be disseminated to physicians serving PWDs globally.

Methods: A total of 50 athletes across four state programs (AZ, MN, PA, WI) were enrolled. Athletes completed baseline surveys and health and fitness testing. Data on demographics, health indicators (blood pressure and anthropometrics), and fitness (i.e., endurance, strength, flexibility, agility, and balance) were collected. Descriptive statistics were used to portray athletes' health and fitness status.

Results: The mean age of participants was 34.0 years (SD=11.0), with 58.0% female and 80.0% White. The most common IDD diagnoses were autism (35.0%) and Down syndrome (20.0%). Seventy-two percent had elevated blood pressure (>120/80 mmHg), 72.5% had a body mass index classified as overweight or obese (≥25.0 kg/m²), and 85.0% had a waist-to-height ratio exceeding 0.5, indicating increased risk for obesity-related cardiovascular disease. Grip strength was below normal for 27.8% (<27 kg for men; <16 kg for women). The median distance for the 6-minute walk test was 418.6 meters (IQR=363.8m, 494.3m) as >75% of athletes did not reach a typical distance (500m) for healthy adults without known health conditions.

Conclusions: Findings highlight the health and fitness characteristics of the initial Project ALL STAR cohort. Data will continue to be tracked to assess changes in health outcomes, the impact of SO programming, and inform future inclusive health strategies for individuals with IDD.