Nathaniel Lamain

Topic

Training care providers to facilitate physical activity of adults with intellectual disabilities: The inclusion of adult learning principles

School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education

Date & location

• Thursday, August 15, 2024

• 10:30 A.M.

• Virtual Defence

Reviewers

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Viviene Temple, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, University of Victoria (Supervisor)

• Dr. John Meldrum, School of Exercise Science, Physical and Health Education, UVic (Member) 

External Examiner

• Dr. Jeff Crane, School of Human Kinetics and Recreation, Memorial University of Newfoundland 

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Eric Higgs, School of Environmental Studies, UVic

   

Abstract

By increasing physical activity participation and reducing sedentary time, adults with intellectual disabilities can reduce the risk of preventable negative health outcomes. However, adults with intellectual disabilities often need support from others to optimize these health promoting behaviours. Care providers that work in community support organizations often lack knowledge and skills to support physical activity participation. In response, researchers and organizations that support individuals with intellectual disabilities have developed professional training to enhance care providers’ capabilities to enable physical activity participation. Centering the learner in the learning process and using principles of adult learning in the training design are important for intervention effectiveness. The aim of this thesis was twofold 1) to synthesize and evaluate the extant literature on physical activity-specific professional development training for care providers for the presence of adult learning principles, and 2) to pilot an intervention for care providers using existing Special Olympics resources supplemented by professional training that incorporates adult learning principles. The thesis is comprised of four manuscripts. The first two manuscripts (Chapters 2 and 3) are the systematic review protocol and the systematic review which address the first aim. Manuscripts 3 and 4 (Chapters 4 and 5) address the second aim. Manuscript 3 is the mixed-methods evaluation of the pilot study and manuscript 4 is a knowledge translation article conveying the intervention and lessons learned to practitioners.