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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Using a Real-Time Locating System to Measure Walking Activity Associated with Wandering Behaviors Among Institutionalized Older Adults
Published on: February 8, 2019
An exploration into self-reported inactivity behaviours of adults with an intellectual disability using physical
L Lynch1, M McCarron1, P McCallion2
1School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Background:
Inactivity is a correlate of adverse health. Adults with an intellectual disability (ID) are more inactive than the general population and often present with more complex health issues. Self-reported activity questionnaires such as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity (RAPA) questionnaire are the predominant source of activity information because of their low cost, non-invasive nature, ease of administration and interpretation of results.
Methods:
Correlates of inactivity among the general and ID populations were identified through a literature scoping review. Inactivity was measured using the RAPA and the IPAQ-SF. A multiple-imputation chained equation was used to impute missing data. Using Pearson chi-squared analyses, relationships between these correlates as well as covariates of age, sex, level of ID, body mass index (BMI) and aetiology, and RAPA and IPAQ-SF categories were explored. Logistic regression provided more detailed analyses. Results were summarised using the Systems of Sedentary Behaviour framework. Spearman correlations examined the IPAQ-SF and RAPA relationships.
Results:
Three correlates for inactivity emerged from the IPAQ-SF and RAPA questionnaire. Up after 07:00 h was a correlate for both. Difficulty walking 100 yards and epilepsy were additional correlates of inactivity. Weak but significant correlations were seen between IPAQ-SF and RAPA scores.
Conclusions:
High inactivity levels are present in adults with an ID. The IPAQ-SF and RAPA questionnaires are weakly correlated.
