Author(s): KACKER, P., HIRSCH, A., FARRELL, C., FIORE, G., TIRALLA, G., TAMULEVICIUS, N., LEUNG, W., Institution: THE UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA, Country: UNITED STATES, Abstract-ID: 926

INTRODUCTION:
Current physical activity guidelines recommend that adults aged 18 and above engage in weight training at least twice a week [1]. Despite these recommendations, people with disabilities are less likely to meet these guidelines [2]. Currently, there is a paucity of literature exploring weight training behaviors in this population and how socio-economic status (SES) influences adherence to the guidelines. The purpose of this analysis is to examine the impact of SES on meeting weight training recommendations among people with disabilities.
METHODS:
A total of 251,062 participants reporting a disability, based on the Washington Group on Disability Statistics Question Set from the 2015-2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, were included in the analysis. Participants were considered having met the weight training guidelines if self-reporting weight training at least twice a week, otherwise classified as non-compliant. SES variables, such as college education (received and not received), employment status (employed and unemployed), income level (≤ $25,000 and > $25,000), and home ownership (homeowner and not homeowner), were separately examined in logistic regression for their association with meeting the weight training guidelines using survey analysis.
RESULTS:
Among participants, 78% (95% CI [77.82, 78.53]) did not meet the weight training guideline, while only 21.82% (95% CI [21.47, 22.18]) complied. Chi-squared analyses indicated an association between meeting the weight training guideline and each SES variable (p<.05). According to individual logistic regressions, participants with a college education (OR=1.64, 95% CI [1.57, 1.71]), employment (OR=1.40, 95% CI [1.34, 1.46]), and income exceeding $25,000 (OR=1.41, 95% CI [1.35, 1.47]) were more likely to comply. Conversely, homeowners were less likely to meet the weight training guidelines (OR=0.88, 95% CI [0.85, 0.92]).
CONCLUSION:
Unsurprisingly, the majority of participants with disabilities did not meet the recommended weight training guidelines. SES significantly influences adherence, with higher SES individuals with disabilities, as indicated by factors such as education, employment, and income, appearing to positively impact guideline adherence. Addressing these disparities may require targeted interventions and tailored strategies, such as improving accessibility of weight training programs for individuals with disabilities with lower SES and raising awareness of weight training benefits within the disability community. The development of inclusive weight training programs and policies addressing socioeconomic factors may help bridge the gap in adherence among people with disabilities.

References:
1. Piercy, K.L., et al., The physical activity guidelines for Americans. JAMA, 2018. 320(19): p. 2020-2028.
2. Martin Ginis, K.A., et al., Participation of people living with disabilities in physical activity: A global perspective. Lancet, 2021. 398(10298): p. 443-455.