Abstract
Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience age-related diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and obesity much earlier than their typical peers. Therefore, health promotion is essential in this population.(1) This population tends to live sedentary lives; exercise needs to be a focus. Exercise positively impacts survival rates for those with ID.(2) Motivation and support are vital factors to successfully incorporate exercise into their lives. Prevalent barriers are a lack of access to health promotion programs, support, and transportation. Creating virtual programming with exercise and support can fill this gap. The implementation of a 6-week virtual exercise/dance program with music as a motivator Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project, enabled adults with ID to participate in physical activity resulting in improved cardiovascular and muscular fitness using Standing Long Jump (SLJ) and 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT) as measures. No improvement was noted in Body Mass Index measurements.