Towards Inclusive Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of Scopus Evidence on Multidimensional Barriers in Physical and Intellectual Disabilities

Objectives. The study aimed to systematically analyze barriers to physical activity (PA) among individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, integrating the COM-B model and Social Determinants of Health (SDH) framework to identify universal and disability-specific challenges. Materials a...

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Main Authors: Kunjung Ashadi, Luh Putu Tuti Ariani, Khoirul Anwar Pulungan, Daniel Womsiwor, Nengah Sandi, Mohd Azrul Anuar Zolkafi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: OVS LLC 2025-07-01
Series:Physical Education Theory and Methodology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tmfv.com.ua/journal/article/view/3462
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author Kunjung Ashadi
Luh Putu Tuti Ariani
Khoirul Anwar Pulungan
Daniel Womsiwor
Nengah Sandi
Mohd Azrul Anuar Zolkafi
author_facet Kunjung Ashadi
Luh Putu Tuti Ariani
Khoirul Anwar Pulungan
Daniel Womsiwor
Nengah Sandi
Mohd Azrul Anuar Zolkafi
author_sort Kunjung Ashadi
collection DOAJ
description Objectives. The study aimed to systematically analyze barriers to physical activity (PA) among individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, integrating the COM-B model and Social Determinants of Health (SDH) framework to identify universal and disability-specific challenges. Materials and methods. The present research involved a PRISMA-guided systematic review of 14 Scopus-indexed studies published between 2021 and 2025 from high- (HICs) and low-middle-income countries (LMICs). Thematic synthesis categorized barriers into environmental/structural, intrapersonal, and sociocultural domains. Results. The results revealed environmental/structural barriers as predominant (10 studies), including transportation limitations (29% in Norway), inaccessible facilities (91% inactivity in Canadian children), and institutional resource gaps. Intrapersonal barriers (4 studies) included motivation deficits and gender stigma (8 unique barriers for women with physical disabilities). Distinct challenges were identified: individuals with physical disabilities faced fatigue (β = -0.34,  p < 0.001) and chronic pain, while individuals with intellectual disabilities encountered caregiver dependency and cognitive limitations. Geographic disparities highlighted infrastructural barriers in HICs (e.g., Belgium’s adaptive program gaps) versus motivational/resource challenges in LMICs (e.g., 0% PA compliance among Turkish mothers).  Conclusions. The findings of this study underscore the need for tailored, multi-level interventions addressing disability-specific barriers and systemic inequities. Policy priorities include infrastructure investment, caregiver training, and stigma reduction to align with SDGs 3 (Health) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Cross-sector collaboration and context-driven strategies are critical to operationalize inclusive PA frameworks globally.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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spelling doaj-art-07932bb908fb444bb28abcd8182a06272025-08-20T03:58:49ZengOVS LLCPhysical Education Theory and Methodology1993-79891993-79972025-07-0125410.17309/tmfv.2025.4.28Towards Inclusive Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of Scopus Evidence on Multidimensional Barriers in Physical and Intellectual DisabilitiesKunjung Ashadi0Luh Putu Tuti Ariani1Khoirul Anwar Pulungan2Daniel Womsiwor3Nengah Sandi4Mohd Azrul Anuar Zolkafi5Universitas Negeri SurabayaUniversitas Pendidikan GaneshaUniversitas Negeri GorontaloUniversitas CendrawasihUniversitas UdayanaUniversiti Pendidikan Sultan IdrisObjectives. The study aimed to systematically analyze barriers to physical activity (PA) among individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities, integrating the COM-B model and Social Determinants of Health (SDH) framework to identify universal and disability-specific challenges. Materials and methods. The present research involved a PRISMA-guided systematic review of 14 Scopus-indexed studies published between 2021 and 2025 from high- (HICs) and low-middle-income countries (LMICs). Thematic synthesis categorized barriers into environmental/structural, intrapersonal, and sociocultural domains. Results. The results revealed environmental/structural barriers as predominant (10 studies), including transportation limitations (29% in Norway), inaccessible facilities (91% inactivity in Canadian children), and institutional resource gaps. Intrapersonal barriers (4 studies) included motivation deficits and gender stigma (8 unique barriers for women with physical disabilities). Distinct challenges were identified: individuals with physical disabilities faced fatigue (β = -0.34,  p < 0.001) and chronic pain, while individuals with intellectual disabilities encountered caregiver dependency and cognitive limitations. Geographic disparities highlighted infrastructural barriers in HICs (e.g., Belgium’s adaptive program gaps) versus motivational/resource challenges in LMICs (e.g., 0% PA compliance among Turkish mothers).  Conclusions. The findings of this study underscore the need for tailored, multi-level interventions addressing disability-specific barriers and systemic inequities. Policy priorities include infrastructure investment, caregiver training, and stigma reduction to align with SDGs 3 (Health) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Cross-sector collaboration and context-driven strategies are critical to operationalize inclusive PA frameworks globally. https://www.tmfv.com.ua/journal/article/view/3462physical activitydisability and health equityenvironmental accessibilityCOM-B modelinclusive policysustainable development goals (SDGs)
spellingShingle Kunjung Ashadi
Luh Putu Tuti Ariani
Khoirul Anwar Pulungan
Daniel Womsiwor
Nengah Sandi
Mohd Azrul Anuar Zolkafi
Towards Inclusive Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of Scopus Evidence on Multidimensional Barriers in Physical and Intellectual Disabilities
Physical Education Theory and Methodology
physical activity
disability and health equity
environmental accessibility
COM-B model
inclusive policy
sustainable development goals (SDGs)
title Towards Inclusive Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of Scopus Evidence on Multidimensional Barriers in Physical and Intellectual Disabilities
title_full Towards Inclusive Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of Scopus Evidence on Multidimensional Barriers in Physical and Intellectual Disabilities
title_fullStr Towards Inclusive Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of Scopus Evidence on Multidimensional Barriers in Physical and Intellectual Disabilities
title_full_unstemmed Towards Inclusive Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of Scopus Evidence on Multidimensional Barriers in Physical and Intellectual Disabilities
title_short Towards Inclusive Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of Scopus Evidence on Multidimensional Barriers in Physical and Intellectual Disabilities
title_sort towards inclusive physical activity a systematic review of scopus evidence on multidimensional barriers in physical and intellectual disabilities
topic physical activity
disability and health equity
environmental accessibility
COM-B model
inclusive policy
sustainable development goals (SDGs)
url https://www.tmfv.com.ua/journal/article/view/3462
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