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Physical Activity Recommendations for People Living with Disability

 

Approximately, 4.4 million people in Australia (2018) and 1.3 billion across the world (2023) are living with disability. This population face barriers in accessing quality healthcare and discrimination, resulting in poor health outcomes and marginalisation. Physical activity is recommended for optimal health and longevity, however, what are the specific guidelines for his population group?

WHO forms the guidelines?

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the leader in developing international guidelines for physical activity levels. These levels recommend the ideal amount of physical activity required to achieve optimal health outcomes amongst age groups.

In 2018, a Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030 was developed by the WHO, which included physical activity guidelines for people living with disability. This aimed to help shape national guidelines for these groups of people.

What do the guidelines state? Are they being implemented in clinics across Australia?

Australian Physical Activity Guidelines

Australia’s healthcare system is considered one of the best in the world (Commonwealth Fund 2021).

The Australian physical activity guidelines are well detailed. They state that most Australian adults (aged 18-64) should aim for:

  • 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate activity OR 1.25 to 2.5 hours vigorous activity per week
  • At least 2 days per week of strength training
  • Be active on most days of the week and reduce sedentary time

You can find the full guidelines here.

Physical Activity Guidelines for People Living with Disability

The WHO, identified that people living with disability were not as well informed by their physical activity guidelines compared with apparently healthy adults.

This sparked the need for detailed research in this area to inform clinicians working with this population.

A recent systematic review (4) demonstrates a comparison of physical activity guidelines from across the world. They aim to inform the WHO and review future directions for people living with disability.

Although Australia is one of the leading researchers and policy makers in this space, they are yet to formally develop guidelines for this population. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found that almost three-quarters of people aged 15 and over with disability do not do enough physical activity when compared with apparently healthy people.

Consequently, it asks the question why there are no formal guidelines for this population group. Should formal guidelines be developed, it may support this population and their providers in achieving optimal health outcomes, ultimately reducing the impact on Australia’s healthcare system.

Physical Activity Guidelines by the WHO

Established above the guidelines are not black and white, the WHO (2020) recommends adults living with disability aged 18+ complete:

  • ≥150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity OR ≥75-150 minutes of vigorous aerobic physical activity per week.
  • ≥ 2 days per week of strength training with a focus on all muscle groups
  • ≥ 3 days per week of multifunctional training (balance and strength) per week
  • Should you not be able to meet these guidelines, achieve what you can within your capacity
  • If possible, consult a healthcare professional for advice on the appropriate amounts based on your individual needs, abilities, functional limitations, medications and overall treatment plan.
  • Reduce sedentary time where possible (e.g individuals living with reduced mobility can count any movement as physical activity)
  • Recommended that adults living with disability should aim to do more than the recommended levels of physical activity for the general population

For children living with disability, the WHO (2020) recommends:

  • Average of 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous intensity activity, with a focus on aerobic exercise. Include ≥ 3 days per week of strengthening within this time recommendation.
  • Limit the amount of time being sedentary, any body movements using large muscle groups apply.

Therefore, using the above recommendations as guidelines should allow individuals to be well informed and aim to meet these recommendations. It is encouraged that Australians and their support networks of people living with disability aim to meet these guidelines in favour of achieving optimal health outcomes.

Should you need guidance and support with meeting these physical activity guidelines, our Exercise Physiologists are well informed on physical activity for this population group and are registered NDIS providers.

Fit Clinic recommends seeking medical professional advice prior to starting any exercise program.

You can contact us on 1300 397 497 or at hello@fitclinic.com.au.

References

  1. World Health Organization. (2018). More Active People for a Healthier World : Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018-2030. Geneva: World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/272722/9789241514187-eng.pdf?sequence=1

  2. Schneider, E. C., Shah, A., Doty, M. M., Tikkanen, R., Fields, K., & Williams II, R. D. (2021, August 4). Mirror, Mirror 2021: Reflecting Poorly. Retrieved from www.commonwealthfund.org website: https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2021/aug/mirror-mirror-2021-reflecting-poorly

  3. Liotta, M. (2018). RACGP – Australia ranks high in global health system comparison. Retrieved from Racgp.org.au website: https://www.racgp.org.au/education/imgs/australia-ranks-high-in-global-health-system-compa

  4. Ranasinghe, M.P., Andersen, H., Dempsey, R.K., Wexler, N., Davis, R., Francois, M., Gilbert, S., Okely, A. D., Sherrington, C., Dempsey, P. C. (2025).Contemporary national and international guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour for people living with chronic conditions, disability and advanced age: a scoping review.
    British Journal of Sports Medicine, 59:385-408. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108247

  5. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024). People with disability in Australia. Retrieved from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/summary

  6. Carty, C., van der Ploeg, H. P., Biddle, S. J. H., Bull, F., Willumsen, J., Lee, L., Kamenov, K., & Milton, K. (2021). The First Global Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Guidelines for People Living With Disability. Journal of physical activity & health, 18(1), 86–93. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2020-0629