# Understanding Capabilities, Opportunities, and Motivations of Walking for Physical Activity Among Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Theory‐Based Study

## TL;DR

This study explores what helps or hinders adults with intellectual disabilities to walk for physical activity, using a model called COM-B.

## Contribution

It applies the COM-B model to understand walking behavior in adults with intellectual disabilities through a participatory qualitative approach.

## Key findings

- Walking behavior is influenced by capabilities, opportunities, and motivations in adults with intellectual disabilities.
- Participants were involved in deciding which research outcomes to prioritize.
- The COM-B model is a useful framework for understanding health behaviors in this population.

## Abstract

This study aimed to apply the COM‐B model to understand the capabilities, opportunities, and motivations for walking behaviour among adults with intellectual disabilities.

A qualitative study was conducted with adults (≥ 18 years) with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities living in Greater Glasgow using one‐to‐one interviews (n = 12; women = 5) and a photo‐elicitation activity followed by a focus group discussion (n = 5; women = 1). The framework approach to analysis allowed for the influences of walking to be mapped onto the COM‐B model.

Walking is a complex behaviour with many capabilities, opportunities and motivations to consider. Adults with intellectual disabilities were involved in making decisions about what results should be prioritised.

The COM‐B model is a flexible framework that can be applied to understand health behaviours of adults with intellectual disabilities. It is imperative to work with adults with intellectual disabilities throughout the research process.