Exercise, Sport, and Movement: 2024 Paper of the Year

Each year, the Exercise, Sport, and Movement (ESM) editorial team recognizes research that exemplifies innovation, methodological rigor, and meaningful impact. We celebrate papers that not only advance the science of exercise but also inspire new ways of understanding human movement. From among the papers published in the previous year, one is selected as the ESM Paper of the Year. For 2024, we are pleased to recognize “Physical Activity Patterns in Adolescents and Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities” by Dr Brian C. Helsel and colleagues (1). This outstanding work advances movement science and reflects our field’s commitment to inclusivity and equitable access to physical activity for all. EXPANDING THE EVIDENCE BASE FOR MOVEMENT EQUITY Although physical activity is one of the strongest determinants of health, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) remain underrepresented in research. Helsel and colleagues address this long-standing gap with one of the most comprehensive studies to date. Using device-based monitoring of 330 participants aged 10–70 yr, the authors reveal meaningful disparities. On average, participants engaged in just 14 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day, and only 12.4% met recommended moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guidelines. As Director of Fitness & Healthy Lifestyles at Special Olympics International and ESM’s Editorial Board Member and Inclusion Excellence Consultant, Melissa M. Otterbein, MPH, CHES, ACSM-PAPHS, observes, “This article stands out for its inclusivity and breadth of demographics, particularly its rare focus on older adults with IDD.” By extending their work beyond children and youth to include participants up to 70 years of age, Helsel and colleagues highlight an aspect of movement equity that has historically received limited attention. Their research underscores the need for more data that captures the full diversity of age and ability. ADVANCING ECOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON MOVEMENT One of the most important aspects of this work is its capacity to reorient how we think about disability, not as a deficit to be overcome, but as part of the diverse ecological landscape of human movement. For decades, research on individuals with IDD has depended largely on self-reports, which can be shaped by circumstance, communication, and context. Helsel and colleagues move the field forward using continuous, device-based measures that capture movement as it unfolds in real time. This approach depicts the natural rhythms of everyday activity with a degree of detail and precision and generates a more complete picture of behavioral patterns. Their findings show how structure and setting matter by revealing how activity levels rise during school or work hours but fall in the mornings, evenings, and weekends, lending support for the “structured day” hypothesis. Their analysis of seasonal patterns further highlights the link between environment and activity, and their age-based analyses reveal how movement patterns change across adolescence through adulthood. Together, these insights suggest strategies for designing programs that sustain structure while supporting independence. By situating disability within its social and temporal contexts, Helsel and colleagues remind us that physical activity is not defined solely by an individual’s ability but also the rhythms of daily life and the structures and systems that organize it. As Associate Editor-in-Chief Katrina DuBose, PhD, FACSM, explains, “This work offers a clearer understanding of the physical activity behaviors in individuals with IDD, paving the way for practitioners to develop tailored programs and for families to receive evidence-based guidance.” TRANSLATING EVIDENCE INTO INCLUSIVE PRACTICE Honoring this work as the 2024 ESM Paper of the Year recognizes more than excellence; it reflects the field’s ongoing evolution toward greater inclusivity. Helsel and colleagues’ findings suggest that accessibility and structure are important considerations in understanding human movement. Their results indicate that educational, occupational, and environmental systems may influence opportunities for physical activity among individuals with IDD. The next challenge lies in translating these insights into programs, policies, and practices that reflect the realities of diverse lives. Progress will depend on sustained collaboration among researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and individuals with lived experience. As movement science continues to grow, inclusivity must remain a guiding principle, ensuring that individuals of all abilities are adequately represented in both data and design. CONCLUSION Helsel et al’s “Physical Activity Patterns in Adolescents and Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities” exemplifies the core values of an ESM Paper of the Year: significance, innovation, and transformative impact. By filling a long-standing gap, it extends the reach of movement science toward greater inclusivity and understanding and demonstrates that advancing scientific understanding and promoting equity are fundamentally linked goals. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND SOURCE OF FUNDING The author has no conflicts of interest or funding sources to report.