{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,3]],"date-time":"2026-05-03T01:21:26Z","timestamp":1777771286562,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":37,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"11","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,8]],"date-time":"2021-11-08T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1636329600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Healthcare"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) tend to have a sedentary lifestyle, with low physical fitness and an increased risk of chronic diseases. One reason for the prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle is the existence of barriers to participation in physical activity (PA). The purpose of this systematic review is to update knowledge about the perceived barriers of PA participation in individuals with ID. Electronic searches were carried out in the PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science databases, from September 2020 to May 2021, and included articles published between January 2016 and May 2021. The terms used were: \u201cmental retardation\u201d, \u201cintellectual disability\u201d, \u201cintellectual disabilities\u201d, \u201cphysical activity\u201d, \u201cmotor activity\u201d, \u201cbarriers\u201d, \u201cobstacles\u201d, \u201cembarrassment\u201d and \u201cconstraint\u201d, in combination with the Boolean operators \u201cAND\u201d or \u201cOR\u201d. After the methodological process, five studies were included for analysis. These studies revealed the existence of several perceived barriers to regular PA participation, which were grouped into five main groups: personal (6 topics), family (4 topics), social (13 topics), financial (1 topic) and environmental (1 topic). The knowledge and identification of participation barriers can be of extreme importance both to institutions and professionals aiming to enhance the participation of individuals with ID in regular PA programs.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare9111521","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,8]],"date-time":"2021-11-08T22:08:41Z","timestamp":1636409321000},"page":"1521","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":53,"title":["Perceived Barriers of Physical Activity Participation in Individuals with Intellectual Disability\u2014A Systematic Review"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"9","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1727-3537","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Miguel","family":"Jacinto","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Anabela Sousa","family":"Vitorino","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sports Science School of Rio Maior, Polytechnic Institute of Santar\u00e9m, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal"},{"name":"Research Center in Sport Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Diogo","family":"Palmeira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Sport, Porto University, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5485-9430","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Raul","family":"Antunes","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal"},{"name":"School of Education and Social Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal"},{"name":"Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology (ciTechCare), Polytechnic of Leiria, 2410-541 Leiria, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2034-0585","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rui","family":"Matos","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Life Quality Research Centre (CIEQV), 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal"},{"name":"School of Education and Social Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, 2411-901 Leiria, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4427-3276","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jos\u00e9 Pedro","family":"Ferreira","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal"},{"name":"Research Center for Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF), 3040-248 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9875-6986","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Teresa","family":"Bento","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sports Science School of Rio Maior, Polytechnic Institute of Santar\u00e9m, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal"},{"name":"Research Center in Sport Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,8]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM\u20135), American Psychiatric Association.","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.books.9780890425596"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"209","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmedr.2016.06.008","article-title":"Physical activity levels in adults with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review","volume":"4","author":"Dairo","year":"2016","journal-title":"Prev. Med. Rep."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hsieh, K., Hilgenkamp, T.I.M., Murthy, S., Heller, T., and Rimmer, J.H. (2017). Low levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior in adults with intellectual disabilities. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph14121503"},{"key":"ref_4","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2020). Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour, World Health Organization WHO."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3574","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ridd.2014.08.038","article-title":"Individuals with intellectual disability have lower voluntary muscle activation level","volume":"35","author":"Borji","year":"2014","journal-title":"Res. Dev. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chow, B.C., Choi, P.H.N., and Huang, W.Y.J. (2018). Physical Activity and Physical Fitness of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in Group Homes in Hong Kong. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph15071370"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"117","DOI":"10.5604\/12321966.1233999","article-title":"Aerobic capacity of adults with intellectual disabilities","volume":"24","author":"Gawlik","year":"2016","journal-title":"Ann. Agric. Environ. Med."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1722","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ridd.2012.04.010","article-title":"Cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and metabolic syndrome) in older people with intellectual disability: Results of the HA-ID study","volume":"33","author":"Bastiaanse","year":"2012","journal-title":"Res. Dev. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"220","DOI":"10.1352\/1944-7558-116.3.220","article-title":"Physical activity benefits and needs in adults with intellectual disabilities: Systematic review of the literature","volume":"116","author":"Bartlo","year":"2011","journal-title":"Am. J. Intellect. Dev. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e2920","DOI":"10.4025\/jphyseduc.v29i1.2920","article-title":"Efeitos do Exerc\u00edcio F\u00edsico para Adultos com Defici\u00eancia Intelectual: Uma revis\u00e3o sistem\u00e1tica","volume":"29","author":"Pestana","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Phys. Educ."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"486","DOI":"10.1016\/j.dhjo.2018.02.003","article-title":"Changes in cognitive function after a 12-week exercise intervention in adults with Down syndrome","volume":"11","author":"Ptomey","year":"2018","journal-title":"Disabil. Health J."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1097","DOI":"10.1177\/0269215511407221","article-title":"Effect of combined exercise training on physical and metabolic fitness in adults with intellectual disability: A controlled trial","volume":"25","author":"Calders","year":"2011","journal-title":"Clin. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"95","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ridd.2017.06.008","article-title":"Understanding low levels of physical activity in people with intellectual disabilities: A systematic review to identify barriers and facilitators","volume":"68","author":"Bossink","year":"2017","journal-title":"Res. Dev. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"40","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ridd.2017.12.007","article-title":"Parental perceptions of facilitators and barriers to physical activity for children with intellectual disabilities: A mixed methods systematic review","volume":"73","author":"McGarty","year":"2018","journal-title":"Res. Dev. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/2046-4053-4-1","article-title":"Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 statement","volume":"4","author":"Moher","year":"2015","journal-title":"Syst. Rev."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"n71","DOI":"10.1136\/bmj.n71","article-title":"The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews","volume":"372","author":"Page","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMJ"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.6063\/motricidade.10(2).3699","article-title":"Revis\u00f5es sistem\u00e1ticas em desporto e sa\u00fade: Orienta\u00e7\u00f5es para o planeamento, elabora\u00e7\u00e3o, reda\u00e7\u00e3o e avalia\u00e7\u00e3o","volume":"10","author":"Bento","year":"2014","journal-title":"Motricidade"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Methley, A.M., Campbell, S., Chew-Graham, C., McNally, R., and Cheraghi-Sohi, S. (2014). PICO, PICOS and SPIDER: A comparison study of specificity and sensitivity in three search tools for qualitative systematic reviews. BMC Health Serv. Res., 14.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12913-014-0579-0"},{"key":"ref_19","unstructured":"Nang, C., Piano, B., Lewis, A., Lycett, K., and Woodhouse, M. (2015, January 14\u201318). Using The PICOS Model to Design and Conduct a Systematic Search: A Speech Pathology Case Study. Proceedings of the ECU Research Week, Perth, Australia."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"215824401668779","DOI":"10.1177\/2158244016687799","article-title":"Investigating Parental Beliefs Concerning Facilitators and Barriers to the Physical Activity in Down Syndrome and Typical Development","volume":"7","author":"Alesi","year":"2017","journal-title":"SAGE Open"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"47","DOI":"10.1111\/bld.12175","article-title":"Barriers to increasing the physical activity of people with intellectual disabilities","volume":"45","author":"Cartwright","year":"2017","journal-title":"Br. J. Learn. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"140","DOI":"10.1111\/jar.12793","article-title":"Exploring parents\u2019 experiences of promoting physical activity for their child with intellectual disabilities","volume":"34","author":"McGarty","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Appl. Res. Intellect. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_23","first-page":"182","article-title":"A qualitative exploration of barriers and enablers of healthy lifestyle engagement for older Australians with intellectual disabilities","volume":"6","author":"Salomon","year":"2019","journal-title":"Res. Pract. Intellect. Dev. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102","DOI":"10.1123\/jpah.2014-0548","article-title":"Physical Activity Enjoyment, Perceived Barriers, and Beliefs Among Adolescents with and Without Intellectual Disabilities","volume":"13","author":"Stanish","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Phys. Act. Health"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"377","DOI":"10.1136\/jech.52.6.377","article-title":"The feasibility of creating a checklist for the assessment of the methodological quality both of randomised and non-randomised studies of health care interventions","volume":"52","author":"Downs","year":"1998","journal-title":"J. Epidemiol. Community Health"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"419","DOI":"10.25115\/psye.v9i3.1023","article-title":"Barreras, facilitadores y motivos de la pr\u00e1ctica deportiva de deportistas con discapacidad intelectual","volume":"9","year":"2017","journal-title":"Psychol. Soc. Educ."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3614","DOI":"10.1080\/09638288.2019.1602851","article-title":"Physical-activity support for people with intellectual disabilities: A theory-informed qualitative study exploring the direct support professionals\u2019 perspective","volume":"42","author":"Bossink","year":"2020","journal-title":"Disabil. Rehabil."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chow, B.C., Choi, P.H.N., Huang, W.Y., and Pan, C.-Y. (2020). Promoting Physical Activity in Group Home Settings: Staff Perspectives through a SWOT Analysis. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17165805"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"439","DOI":"10.1111\/jir.12142","article-title":"Development of physical fitness in children with intellectual disabilities","volume":"59","author":"Hartman","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Intellect. Disabil. Res."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"267","DOI":"10.1016\/j.amepre.2004.12.003","article-title":"Physical activity from childhood to adulthood: A 21-year tracking study","volume":"28","author":"Telama","year":"2005","journal-title":"Am. J. Prev. Med."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"209","DOI":"10.1177\/1744629511422137","article-title":"The feasibility of using a peer-guided model to enhance participation in community-based physical activity for youth with intellectual disability","volume":"15","author":"Temple","year":"2011","journal-title":"J. Intellect. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"822","DOI":"10.1038\/sj.ijo.0801621","article-title":"Physical activity and determinants of physical activity in obese and non-obese children","volume":"25","author":"Trost","year":"2001","journal-title":"Int. J. Obes. Relat. Metab. Disord."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"871","DOI":"10.1111\/sms.12218","article-title":"Barriers to and facilitators of sports participation for people with physical disabilities: A systematic review","volume":"24","author":"Jaarsma","year":"2014","journal-title":"Scand. J. Med. Sci. Sports"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"197","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rbce.2017.12.001","article-title":"Barreiras para a pr\u00e1tica de atividade f\u00edsica em pessoas com defici\u00eancia visual","volume":"40","author":"Marmeleira","year":"2018","journal-title":"Rev. Bras. Ci\u00eanc. Esporte"},{"key":"ref_35","first-page":"192","article-title":"Perceived constraints to leisure time physical activity participation of students with hearing impairment","volume":"39","author":"Tsai","year":"2005","journal-title":"Ther. Recreat. J."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"17","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1468-3156.1998.tb00041.x","article-title":"Physical Activity, Exercise and Health of Adults with Mild and Moderate Learning Disabilities","volume":"26","author":"Messent","year":"1998","journal-title":"Br. J. Learn. Disabil."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"351","DOI":"10.1177\/109019818801500401","article-title":"An ecological perspective on health promotion programs","volume":"15","author":"McLeroy","year":"1988","journal-title":"Health Educ. Q."}],"container-title":["Healthcare"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2227-9032\/9\/11\/1521\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T07:27:39Z","timestamp":1760167659000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2227-9032\/9\/11\/1521"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,8]]},"references-count":37,"journal-issue":{"issue":"11","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,11]]}},"alternative-id":["healthcare9111521"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/healthcare9111521","relation":{},"ISSN":["2227-9032"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2227-9032","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,8]]}}}