Effects of a structured exercise and mentorship program on physical activity in young adults with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of structured, mentor-supported exercise program on physical activity levels in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), a population at increased risk for depressive symptoms. While exercise is widely recognized as beneficial for health, limited research exists on its impact in those with IDD. Methods: Twenty-one participants (12 males, 9 females; ages 18-26) enrolled in the University of South Carolina Aiken’s LIFE program engaged in a seven-week physical activity intervention through the Movement Mentor initiative. Each participant, diagnosed with conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy, was paired with a student mentor. Physical activity data were collected via iPhones and Apple Watches using the Apple Health app, tracking weekly average step count, distance walked/ran, and active calories burned. A two-tailed paired-samples t-test compared Week 1 and Week 7 values; significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Significant increases were observed in both step count (p = 0.0005) and walking/running distance (p = 0.0009), suggesting improved physical activity levels. Active calories burned increased slightly but did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.0657), potentially due to measurement variability or individual differences in metabolism and intensity. Conclusion: Structured physical activity interventions can significantly improve movement behaviors in individuals with IDD. Although depressive symptoms were not directly assessed, the observed gains support the potential for improved mental well-being. Future research should include psychological assessments and physiological metrics to better understand exercise’s role in emotional health among individuals with IDD.