Step it UP! Game increases steps of adults with disabilities

Engaging in regular physical activity has been shown to decrease the risk of health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Several studies have shown that physical activity is lower among individuals with neuro-atypical developmental and intellectual disabilities as compared to neurotypical individuals. The current study evaluated the effects of the Step it UP! Game on the mean number of steps taken per minute with adults with disabilities. Participants were divided into 2 competing teams, and the team with the highest step count at the end of each session participated in a prize drawing. The Step it UP! Game was compared to baseline conditions using a multielement design. Mean step count increased from 24.35 steps per minute during baseline to 54.76 steps per minute during the intervention. All 10 participants took more steps during the Step it UP! Game.