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Merrick, J., Kandel, I., Lotan, M., Aspler, S., Fuchs, B.S. and Morad, M. (2010) National survey 2007 on medical services for persons with intellectual disability in residential care in Israel. International Journal of Adolescence and Medical Health, 22, 575-582. doi:10.1515/IJAMH.2010.22.4.575

has been cited by the following article:

• TITLE: Exercises and sports participation in healthy older adults with intellectual disability—A pilot study

  AUTHORS: Eli Carmeli, Joav Merrick, Bita Imam, Ran Levy

  KEYWORDS: Aging; Intellectual Disability; Physical Activity

  JOURNAL NAME: Health, Vol.4 No.9A, September 28, 2012

  ABSTRACT: Background: Many adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) have low physical activity (PA). Lack of PA is a risk factor for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and some types of cancer. The objective of this study was to investigate the rate of PA in healthy older adults with ID. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data. Participants were caregivers of persons with ID who were over 50 years old and living in a residential care center. A PA questionnaire and a daily rapport form were used to gather information about the type and rate of daily PA of persons with ID for 12 consecutive days. The Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) was used to assess functional dependency. Results: Healthy older adults with ID do not engage in adequate regular PA as recommended by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Conclusion: The low participation in PA for persons with ID may be related to lack of appreciation of the benefits of PA, lack of support from their caregivers and difficulty finding experienced personnel to train them.