Evaluating the delivery of physical activity for people with developmental disabilities using an online knowledge translation approach: part 2 – content quality

Abstract

Objective

Web-based platforms for delivering physical activity (PA) to people with developmental disabilities have a great potential to improve the lives of many. However, their design, including the content design, lacks sufficient investigation. This study aims to evaluate three online platforms for delivering PA to people with developmental disabilities in terms of content quality and identify relevant barriers and facilitators of PA delivery.

Methods

The study used a methodological triangulation approach which involved quantitative evaluations by experts using an evaluation rubric, on-site observations and in-depth interviews with recruited participants. The participants consisted of 15 pairs of individuals, each consisting of a person with developmental disabilities and their primary caregiver. They were instructed to watch and follow five PA video content from each of the three platforms. The on-site observations and interviews were conducted in a large computer-equipped meeting room setting.

Results

The quantitative and qualitative analysis identified a set of barriers and facilitators of PA delivery related to content quality. Key barriers identified include a lack of content diversity, insufficient understanding of developmental disabilities among content creators, inappropriate language usage, and resistance to engaging in physical activities in home settings. Significant facilitators were pinpointed, such as incorporating engaging elements for individuals with developmental disabilities, utilising easy-read language, and ensuring sufficient repetition for effective learning. The results from the triangulation showed that the multiple methods were complementary and converged on the same outcome.

Discussion

The study findings could contribute to the development of adequately adapted PA content to distribute knowledge to populations with developmental disabilities.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• Content delivered via online platforms has the potential to convey knowledge about physical activity to a significant number of individuals with developmental disabilities without the limitations of time and space.

• The absence of prescribed content guidelines to effectively impart physical activity to individuals with developmental disabilities impedes the process of online knowledge translation.

• There is a requirement for varied physical activity content encompassing various individuals with developmental disabilities, considering their diverse learning contexts.

• It is essential that content development is evaluated with input from experts in developmental disabilities in order to provide quality physical activity information for people with developmental disabilities.

Keywords:

• Content quality
• online knowledge translation
• health literacy
• triangulation
• user experience
• human-computer interaction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea and the National Research Foundation of Korea [NRF-2019S1A5A2A01052119].