Background

In Australia, about 1 in 20 children under 15 live with intellectual disability. Intellectual disability manifests during childhood, affecting adaptive functioning across social, cognitive and practical domains. Diagnosis requires standardised intelligence testing with an IQ score of 70 or less, and an evaluation of the severity of impairment in adaptive functioning, according to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Children with intellectual disability face higher risks of lifestyle-related health problems1 and are a vulnerable group with high healthcare needs.2 They also often experience barriers to sport participation, including limited inclusive programmes, stigma and dependency on others,3 which contribute to lower physical activity and fewer opportunities to develop independence compared with their peers.4 Gymnastics is well suited to address these gaps: it offers structured, enjoyable activity that develops fundamental movement skills (balance, coordination, strength and body…