Increasing physical activity in adults with intellectual disabilities
Official title: A Stage 1 Pilot Test for Feasibility and Efficacy of a Multi-Level Intervention To Increase Physical Activity in Adults with Intellectual Disability: Step it Up +
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11013331 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a fun 16-week program called Step It Up+ to help adults with intellectual disabilities get more active through personalized workouts and support from coaches, making it easier for them to enjoy exercise and connect with others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $703,555 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG076678-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11013331 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older with intellectual disabilities who are looking to increase their physical activity levels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have intellectual disabilities or those who are unable to participate in physical activities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance physical activity levels among adults with intellectual disabilities, who often face barriers to engaging in healthy exercise. The program, called Step It Up+, is a 16-week intervention that combines self-management strategies with support from coaches to help participants increase their daily activity. It includes personalized aerobic and strength training activities, as well as a community fitness class to promote social engagement. The study will assess how feasible and acceptable this program is for participants, preparing for a larger efficacy trial in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved physical health and reduced risk of dementia for adults with intellectual disabilities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that multi-level interventions can effectively increase physical activity in various populations, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tomaszewski, Brianne — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Tomaszewski, Brianne
Related research
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Step It Up+: helping adults with intellectual disability be more active
This 16-week program helps adults with intellectual disability use goal-setting, a web dashboard, and a support coach to increase daily steps and aerobic and strength activity.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.