title: Understanding physical activity in the group home setting: a qualitative inquiry.
abstract: Persons with intellectual disabilities have low physical activity levels and high rates of chronic disease. One predictor limitedly explored is the home environment, which could influence the type and amount of physical activity in this population. The purpose of this study is to qualitatively explore physical activity in the group home setting and determine what key stakeholders want from a physical activity programme.
  
  
  
  This study adopted a qualitative descriptive design, using semistructured focus groups. Twenty stakeholders (i.e., residents with intellectual disability, support staff and programme coordinators) participated in one of three focus groups, separated by stakeholder status.
  
  
  
  A number of factors emerged that would assist rehabilitation professionals in understanding physical activity within the group home setting. The following six meta-themes were identified: nature of residents' physical activity, facilitators to physical activity, barriers to physical activity, personal factors, organizational factors and solutions to increase physical activity.
  
  
  
  Findings suggest that residents with intellectual disabilities have low physical activity and opportunities for participation. Key attributes of the group home setting were identified between barriers and facilitators to activity. Consideration for the development of physical activity programmes should focus on the unique needs of the group home setting as expressed by stakeholders. Implications for rehabilitation Physical activity can improve physical fitness, function, and community participation yet physical activity remains low among adults with intellectual disabilities. Understanding physical activity within the group home setting is essential to develop targeted interventions to increase activity within that environment. Key barriers for physical activity within the group home setting include; operational priorities, limited staff, staff turnover, busy schedules, and staff attitudes towards physical activity.
authors.affiliation: a College of Public Health and Human Sciences , Oregon State University , Corvallis , OR , USA.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dixon-Ibarra
authors.affiliation: b Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas , Dallas , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Driver
authors.affiliation: c School of Health Professions, University of Alabama Lakeshore Research collaborative , Birmingham , AL , USA.
authors.forename: Kerri
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanderbom
authors.affiliation: d Institute on Development and Disability, Oregon Health and Sciences University , Portland , OR , USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Humphries
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise; D016352:Group Homes; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: Exercise; focus groups; health promotion; intellectual disability