Physical Activity is Important for Adults Who Have Disabilities

A CUP OF HEALTH WITH CDC
Physical Activity is Important for Adults Who Have Disabilities
Physical Activity Among Adults with Disabilities – US 2005
October 12, 2007

[Announcer] This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC – safer,
healthier people.

[Matthew Reynolds] Welcome to A Cup of Health with CDC, a weekly broadcast of the
MMWR, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. I’m your host, Matthew Reynolds.
One in five adults has a disability. We have ramps for building access, designated parking,
and accommodations for people who have disabilities. However, considerably fewer
people who have disabilities are meeting their physical activity needs than people without
disabilities. Today, we’ll talk with Dr. Brian Armour, a health scientist in CDC’s Division of
Human Development and Disability. Dr. Armour is part of a team that analyzed data
concerning physical activity among people who have disabilities. Welcome to the show, Dr.
Armour.

[Dr. Armour] Thank you.

[Matthew Reynolds] Dr. Armour, what are the activity recommendations for people who
have disabilities?

[Dr. Armour] CDC recommends that people get at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity
activity at least 5 days a week or 20 minutes of vigorous intensity activity at least 3 days
per week. Examples of moderate physical activity include walking or gardening - anything
that slightly increases the heart rate or breathing. Examples of vigorous physical activity
include running or heavy yard work, that is, anything - any activity - that greatly increases
your heart rate or your breathing.

[Matthew Reynolds] What precautions would your recommend for people who have
disabilities beginning an exercise regimen?

[Dr. Armour] We would recommend that people with disabilities contact their physician
before engaging in any type of physical activity.

[Matthew Reynolds] There’s growing evidence that Americans, as a whole, aren’t getting
enough physical activity. What have you found relative to people who have disabilities and
their amount of exercise?

[Dr. Armour] Approximately 40 percent of adults with a disability get recommended levels
of physical activity compared with 50 percent of adults without a disability. In addition,
adults with a disability are more likely to be physically inactive. Twice as many are
physically inactive compared with adults without a disability.

[Matthew Reynolds] So that would translate to secondary health problems as well?

[Dr. Armour] Yeah. For example obesity, social isolation, and depression.

[Matthew Reynolds] What are the barriers that people who have disabilities face in
getting enough physical activity?

[Dr. Armour] The barriers that exist for people with disabilities include environment, for
example, lack of sidewalks. Also, transportation barriers. There are some barriers that are
also unique to people with disabilities; these include things like having an accessible gym
or having staff that are trained to meet the physical activity needs of adults with disabilities.

[Matthew Reynolds] October is National Disability Awareness Month. What’s CDC doing
to help people who have disabilities?

[Dr. Armour] CDC currently funds 16 states with a goal of promoting health and wellness
among people with disabilities. In addition, CDC administers grants to Special Olympics
and also the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability. And as many of our
listeners might know, the Special Olympics’ goal is to promote physical activity through
competition for people with intellectual disabilities.

[Matthew Reynolds] Where can people go for more information on accessible facilities
and programs for adults who have disabilities?

[Dr. Armour] People with disabilities can contact the National Center on Physical Activity
and Disability at 1-800-900-8086. That is 1-800-900-8086. They offer free information
service on a wide range of topics related to physical activity, including fitness, recreation,
and sports.

[Matthew Reynolds] Is there a website that people can visit for more information as well?

[Dr. Armour] People can go to www.ncpad.org.

[Matthew Reynolds] Dr. Armour, thank you for joining us today.

[Dr. Armour] Thank you, Matthew.

[Matthew Reynolds] That’s it for this week’s show. Don’t forget to join us next week. Until
then, be well. This is Matthew Reynolds for A cup of Health with CDC.

[Announcer] To access the most accurate and relevant health information that affects you, your family and
your community, please visit www.cdc.gov.