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The World Health Organization (WHO) released the first global public health guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behavior for people living with disabilities in 2020. The evidence-based guidelines were urgently needed considering the rampant exclusion of people living with disabilities from nearly all sectors of public life, including health care, sports, and physical activity.
People living with disabilities are more than twice as likely to be physically inactive as those without disabilities, increasing the physical, mental, and social health risks. Lower participation reflects additional barriers faced, including physical, personal, social, and environmental barriers. Evidence suggests that there are no significant risks to engaging in physical activity that is appropriate to an individual’s current activity level, health status, and physical function. The health benefits accrued generally outweigh the risks. The evidence also emphasizes the benefits of limiting sedentary behavior.
Considerable effort is needed to advance this agenda, and the guidelines mark a positive step forward for enhancing disability inclusion. This presentation presents an overview of the guidelines, their development process, and practical application. It highlights critical considerations for implementing the new recommendations for people living with disabilities, in line with the human rights agenda underpinning the Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030: More Active People for a Healthier World and allied policies.
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