‘Walk Buds’: A walking intervention to increase physical activity, physical fitness, and emotional wellbeing, in 9–13 year old children with intellectual disabilities. Results of a clustered randomised feasibility trial

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundChildren with intellectual disability are less physically active and more sedentary than typically developing peers. To date no studies have tested the feasibility of a school‐based walking intervention for children with Intellectual Disability.MethodA clustered randomised controlled trial (cRCT), with an embedded process evaluation, was used to test the feasibility of a school‐based walking intervention. Eight schools (n = 161 pupils aged 9–13 years) were randomised into either an intervention arm or an ‘exercise as usual’ arm. Measures included physical activity, physical fitness and emotional wellbeing. Baseline and 3‐month follow‐up data were collected.ResultsThe ‘Walk Buds’ intervention was found to be acceptable to teaching staff and pupils, with an uptake rate of the walking sessions offered of 84%.ConclusionA number of challenges were experienced, relating to the COVID‐19 pandemic, and difficulties collecting accelerometer data. Barriers, facilitators and required changes identified through the mixed methods process evaluation are discussed.