Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effect of community-based rehabilitation exercise and physical activity on the physical activity levels, functional states, and quality of life for people with mild and moderate disabilities in community settings, to ascertain the health benefits of their engagement in such fitness sports activities, anchoring in the WHO "Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030: More Active People for a Healthier World" and the guidelines tailored for people with disabilities, using the theoretical framework and methodology of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
Methods Aligning with the WHO guidelines for people with disabilities and the ICF, a community-based rehabilitation exercise and physical activity program was designed for individuals with mild to moderate disabilities, featuring activities like fitness training (aerobic and resistance exercises), skill exercises (such as balance and coordination), as well as sports and recreational games (ball and games, etc.). A total of 230 people with mild and moderate disabilities were recruited from 20 communities in Shenzhen, with types of disabilities including physical, speech, intellectual, and mental. Professional rehabilitation fitness instructors implemented and supervised the program. The activities were of low to moderate intensity, 30 to 50 minutes per session, five times a month for six months. The community-based rehabilitation exercise and physical activity progress of these individuals was surveyed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and their overall functioning was evaluated with WHODAS 2.0. The health-related quality of life was measured with WHOQOL-BREF. The health benefits from participation in community-based rehabilitation exercise and physical activity were assessed in terms of functioning, activity involvement, and quality of life.
Results After the fitness activities, participation levels significantly increased in IPAQ domains of work-related, transport-related, domestic and gardening activity, and leisure time (|t| > 3.391, P < 0.001). The scores significantly decreased in the domains of cognition, activity, self-care, getting along, life activities and participation; and overall scores also decreased in WHODAS 2.0 (t > 6.639, P < 0.001). The scores significantly increased in the four dimensions of WHOQOL-BREF (|t| > 7.486, P < 0.001).
Conclusion After participating in a six-month community-based rehabilitation exercise and physical activity program of mild to moderate intensity, individuals with mild to moderate disabilities have improved in physical activity and engagement levels, and the overall functioning and quality of life.

Key words: people with disabilities, rehabilitation exercise, physical activity, community-based rehabilitation