A 6-Week Virtual Exercise/Dance Program Impacts Fitness Levels for Adults With Intellectual Disabilities:: A DNP Project.

Abstract

Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience age-related diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and obesity much earlier than their typical peers. Therefore, health promotion is essential in this population.¹ This population tends to live sedentary lives; exercise needs to be a focus. Exercise positively impacts survival rates for those with ID.² Motivation and support are vital factors to successfully incorporate exercise into their lives. Prevalent barriers are a lack of access to health promotion programs, support, and transportation. Creating virtual programming with exercise and support can fill this gap. The implementation of a 6-week virtual exercise/dance program with music as a motivator Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project, enabled adults with ID to participate in physical activity resulting in improved cardiovascular and muscular fitness using Standing Long Jump (SLJ) and 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) as measures. No improvement was noted in Body Mass Index measurements.