scholarly journals Physical Activity Experiences of People with Multiple Sclerosis during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Disabilities ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-55
Author(s):  
Alanna Koopmans ◽  
Chelsea Pelletier
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Outdoor Recreation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Activity Spaces ◽  
Physical Activity Policy ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
Fear And Anxiety ◽  
Variable Support ◽  
Barriers To Physical Activity

During the COVID-19 pandemic, government and health officials introduced measures such as social distancing and facility closures that amplified barriers to physical activity. Certain groups, including people with multiple sclerosis (MS), have been underserved during the pandemic. In this qualitative study we aimed to: (1) explore the physical activity experiences of people with MS during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) identify the facilitators and barriers to physical activity during COVID-19 for people with MS; and (3) make recommendations for inclusive physical activity policy and programming. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 adults (9 women) with MS during January and February 2021. Following an inductive thematic analysis, three themes were developed: (1) changing opportunities and adapting to new opportunities; (2) social isolation and physical activity; and (3) adapting physical activity to stay safe from COVID-19. Common facilitators identified included having knowledge and resources to adapt activities, social connections, and access to outdoor recreation opportunities. Identified barriers included fear and anxiety related to the spread of the virus, a loss of in-person activity options, and the closure of physical activity spaces. Online and at-home opportunities for physical activity were a valued and accessible way to address barriers to physical activity for people with MS, and should be maintained post-pandemic while considering flexibility to accommodate variable support needs.

Diversity in teachers’ approaches to movement integration: A qualitative study of lower secondary school teachers’ perceptions of a state school reform involving daily physical activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 429-447
Author(s):  
Henrik Taarsted Jørgensen ◽  
Sine Agergaard ◽  
Michalis Stylianou ◽  
Jens Troelsen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
School Reform ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Physical Activity Policy ◽  
Danish School ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Movement Integration

In the context of implementing a physical activity policy as part of a national school reform in Denmark, the purpose of this study was to explore lower secondary teachers’ interpretations and perceptions of the physical activity policy with a focus on movement integration. In total, 14 teachers from four different schools were selected to take part in this qualitative study, which involved semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, go-along observations and informal interviews. A thematic analysis framework was employed to identify and describe patterns of meaning within data. The findings showed substantial diversity among teachers’ interpretations and perceptions of movement integration, and consequently a lack of definitional clarity regarding movement integration and a possible misalignment between policy and practice. Teachers’ perceptions and interpretations of movement integration were influenced by other and more prioritised policies and discourses regarding academic achievement, as well as by intrapersonal, interpersonal and institutional factors. The findings also suggested a lack of support and collaboration within the school and provided insights into the strengths and weaknesses associated with the autonomy afforded in the Danish school reform.

Body Weight Stigma in Physical Activity Settings

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Pickett ◽  
George B. Cunningham
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Stigma ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Activity Settings ◽  
Activity Spaces ◽  
Strong Barrier ◽  
Body Ideals

Given societal body ideals praising thinness and muscularity, physical activity spaces can bedifficult to navigate for those in larger bodies. Thus, stigma serves as a strong barrier to participation. Inthis study, the authors explore ways that body stigma affects larger individuals’ participation in physicalactivity. This authors employed qualitative, semi-structured interviews (N = 9), regarding personal experi-ences of body weight stigma. Results suggest that body stigma is common and that various discriminatoryexperiences led participants away from participating. Given the prevalence of prejudicial behaviors, whichexclude larger individuals, the authors argue for more inclusive physical activity spaces and practices.

scholarly journals Patient Perspectives on Home-Based Rehabilitation Exercise and General Physical Activity after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A qualitative study (PHETHAS-2)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Groendahl Poulsen ◽  
Janni Dahlgaard Gravesen ◽  
Merete Noergaard Madsen ◽  
Lone Ramer Mikkelsen ◽  
Thomas Bandholm ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Everyday Life ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Main Theme ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Theoretical Underpinning ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
General Physical ◽  
Rehabilitation Exercise

Abstract Objectives To investigate patient-perceived facilitators and barriers to home-based rehabilitation exercise and general physical activity after THA. Design Using a qualitative design, twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using an interpretive thematic analysis approach, with theoretical underpinning from the concept conduct of everyday life. The study is embedded within the PHETHAS-1 trial, quantitatively investigating recovery outcomes after a home-based rehabilitation exercise program. Setting A regional hospital in Denmark between January 2018 and May 2019. Participants Twenty-two patients who had undergone THA and performed home-based rehabilitation exercise. Results The main theme Wishing to return to the well-known everyday life and the subtheme General physical activity versus rehabilitation exercise were identified. Generally, the participants found the home-based rehabilitation exercise boring but were motivated by the goal of returning to their habitual conduct of everyday life and perform their usual general physical activities. Participants enrolled in the PHETHAS-1 study used the enrollment as part of their motivation for doing the exercises. Both pain and no pain were identified as barriers for doing the home-based rehabilitation exercise. Pain could cause insecurity while no pain could cause the rehabilitation exercise to be perceived as pointless. Conclusions The overall goal for the THA patients was to return to their habitual everyday life. This goal served as a facilitator for undertaking home-based rehabilitation exercise. Being able to perform their usual activities paradoxically became a barrier for some of the participants, as they were more motivated towards general physical activity than the rehabilitation exercise.

scholarly journals Correlates, facilitators and barriers of physical activity among primary care patients with prediabetes in Singapore – a mixed methods approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Boon Tar Lim ◽  
Wei Keong Wee ◽  
Wei Chek For ◽  
Jayalakshmy Aarthi Ananthanarayanan ◽  
Ying Hua Soh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Peer Influence ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Care Patients ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
Barriers To Physical Activity

Abstract Background Primary care patients with prediabetes is a priority group in the clinical, organisational and policy contexts. Engaging in regular physical activity is crucial to prevent diabetes for this group. The objectives of the study were to assess factors associated with meeting the recommendation of at least 150 min of moderate/vigorous physical activity weekly, and to explore facilitators and barriers related to the behaviour among primary care patients with prediabetes in Singapore. Methods This was a mixed methods study, consisting of a cross-sectional survey involving 433 participants from 8 polyclinics, and in-depth interviews with 48 of them. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) were obtained by mixed effects Poisson regression model. The socio-ecological model (SEM) was applied, and thematic analysis performed. Results The prevalence of meeting the recommendation was 65.8%. This was positively associated with being male (aPR 1.21, 95%CI 1.09–1.34), living in 4–5 room public housing (aPR 1.19, 95%CI 1.07–1.31), living in executive flat/private housing (aPR 1.26, 95%CI 1.06–1.50), having family members/friends to exercise with (aPR 1.57, 95%CI 1.38–1.78); and negatively associated with a personal history of osteoarthritis (aPR 0.75, 95%CI 0.59–0.96), as well as time spent sitting or reclining daily (aPR 0.96, 95%CI 0.94–0.98). The recurrent themes for not meeting the recommendation included lacking companionship from family members/friends, medical conditions hindering physical activity (particularly osteoarthritis), lacking knowledge/skills to exercise properly, “no time” to exercise and barriers pertaining to exercise facilities in the neighbourhood. The recurrent themes for meeting the recommendation included family/peer influence, health/well-being concerns and education by healthcare professionals. Conclusions Much more remains to be done to promote physical activity among primary care patients with prediabetes in Singapore. Participants reported facilitators and barriers to physical activity at different levels of the SEM. Apart from the individual and interpersonal levels, practitioners and policy makers need to work together to address the organisational, community and policy barriers to physical activity.

scholarly journals Exploring the Facilitators and Barriers to Physical Activity in Older People With Sight Loss

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy E. Burton ◽  
Louise Clancy ◽  
Lisa Cowap
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older People ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Sight Loss ◽  
Facilitators And Barriers ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Inductive Thematic Analysis ◽  
Barriers To Physical Activity

This study aimed to explore facilitators and barriers to physical activity in older people with sight loss. Focus groups were conducted with 13 community-dwelling older adults with sight loss ranging from poor to completely blind. Transcripts were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis. Facilitators and barriers are experienced in three ways: psychologically; through opportunity and access; and at a societal and policy level. Campaigns are needed to challenge unhelpful age-related stereotypes at both psychological and societal levels. Additionally, interventions grounded in evidence and theory should be trialled and evaluated for increasing physical activity in this population.

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