The Hidden Cost of Inactivity in the Disabled Community

When most people think about fitness, they picture gyms, athletes, or people chasing aesthetic goals.

But for millions of individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), those opportunities are often out of reach.

At Suarez Adaptive Fitness, we believe fitness is not optional; it’s foundational for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Unfortunately, decades of research show that people with IDD face systemic barriers that make consistent movement difficult. The results are higher rates of obesity, depression, anxiety, and shortened lifespan compared to the general population (Rimmer & Vanderbom, 2022).

1. Inactivity and Obesity: A Preventable Health Crisis

Children with intellectual disabilities are almost twice as likely to be obese as children without disabilities: 28.9% versus 15.5% (Segal et al., 2016). Only about half of these children meet even basic physical activity recommendations, and the consequences follow them into adulthood.

A study of young adults with ID in South Korea found that low muscular endurance correlated strongly with higher body fat and BMI, showing that limited movement directly contributes to obesity risk (Jeong & Chun, 2021). These findings emphasize a simple truth: consistent physical activity isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential for health maintenance and independence.

2. The Mind–Body Connection: Exercise and Mental Health

Movement doesn’t just shape the body, it transforms the mind.

A systematic review of 18 randomized controlled trials found that exercise significantly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety among individuals with intellectual disabilities (St John et al., 2020).

For children and adolescents, the results are even more encouraging. A meta-analysis of adaptive exercise interventions revealed large improvements in overall mental health and cognitive function, particularly when participants engaged in at least two hours of structured activity per week (Wen Yang et al., 2022).

These outcomes show that inclusive movement builds confidence, emotional stability, and self-efficacy, qualities that are often overlooked in traditional care settings.

3. Exercise and Longevity: Moving for a Longer Life

Perhaps the most powerful evidence comes from long-term data on adults with disabilities.

In one U.S. study tracking individuals with ID over several years, those who maintained regular leisure-time activity had a 70% lower risk of premature death than their inactive peers (Diaz et al., 2020).

Even moderate amounts of activity (walking, light resistance training, or adapted recreation) offered significant protection against early mortality. The takeaway is simple but profound: movement saves lives.

4. Breaking Barriers, One Rep at a Time

People with disabilities often face unique challenges:

• Gyms and programs that aren’t adaptive-friendly

• Transportation and cost barriers

• Lack of trainers who understand how to safely modify movements

That’s where adaptive fitness professionals come in. Our job is to design training that meets the individual where they are: physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Inclusion isn’t a trend; it’s the foundation of what real fitness should be.

5. Moving Forward

Research continues to confirm what we already know at Suarez Adaptive Fitness:

Movement is medicine, and everyone deserves access to it.

By prioritizing inclusive fitness spaces, adaptive coaching, and community education, we can extend lives, improve mental health, and redefine what “fit” truly means.

Because strength isn’t about perfection — it’s about participation.

References

• Diaz, J., Kim, S., & Wong, A. (2020). Physical activity and mortality risk in adults with intellectual disabilities: A cohort analysis. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 125(4), 295–318. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-125.4.295

• Jeong, M., & Chun, H. (2021). Physical fitness and obesity in young adults with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 17(6), 485–493. https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.2142646.316

• Rimmer, J. H., & Vanderbom, K. A. (2022). Integrating physical activity into the lives of people with disabilities. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 63(1), 142–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2022.01.009

• Segal, M., Eliasziw, M., Phillips, S., Bandini, L., Curtin, C., & Must, A. (2016). Obesity and physical activity among children with and without intellectual disability. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 121(4), 350–364. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-121.4.350

• St John, S. L., Rowe, D. A., & Sutherland, R. (2020). Effects of exercise on mental health outcomes in individuals with intellectual disabilities: A meta-analysis. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 99, 103585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103585

• Wen Yang, L., & Lin, X. (2022). Effects of physical activity interventions on mental health in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities: A meta-analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(15), 8972. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19158972