'Walk Buds': A walking intervention to increase physical activity, physical fitness, and emotional wellbeing, in 9-13 year old children with intellectual disabilities. Results of a clustered randomised feasibility trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to test the feasibility of a school-based walking intervention for children with intellectual disability.
Results Summary
The intervention was acceptable to staff and pupils, with an 84% uptake rate of walking sessions. Challenges included COVID-19 disruptions and accelerometer data collection difficulties.
Population
Children with intellectual disability aged 9-13 years.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
3 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
school-based walking intervention | no change | - | teaching staff and pupils | - | was found to be acceptable | #1 |
school-based walking intervention | neutral | walking sessions offered | - | 84% | uptake rate | #2 |
BACKGROUND: Children with intellectual disability are less physically active and more sedentary than typically developing peers. To date no studies have tested the feasibility of a school-based walking intervention for children with Intellectual Disability. METHOD: A clustered randomised controlled trial (cRCT), with an embedded process evaluation, was used to test the feasibility of a school-based walking intervention. Eight schools (n = 161 pupils aged 9-13 years) were randomised into either an intervention arm or an 'exercise as usual' arm. Measures included physical activity, physical fitness and emotional wellbeing. Baseline and 3-month follow-up data were collected. RESULTS: The 'Walk Buds' intervention was found to be acceptable to teaching staff and pupils, with an uptake rate of the walking sessions offered of 84%. CONCLUSION: A number of challenges were experienced, relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, and difficulties collecting accelerometer data. Barriers, facilitators and required changes identified through the mixed methods process evaluation are discussed.