Exploring the Physical Activity of Adults Aging With Long-Term Physical Disabilities: A Qualitative Study

Research Objectives: To qualitatively explore the perspectives of adults aging with long-term physical disabilities (AAwPD) on physical activity (PA), including barriers and facilitators, perceived benefits, motivations and beliefs, and current routines and habits.

Design: A cross-sectional qualitative study with semi-structured interviews was conducted.

Setting: Interviews were conducted either via phone or videoconference with community dwelling AAwPD.

Participants: A convenience sample of AAwPD between the ages of 45-65, living with a physical disability for at least five years, and English-speaking was recruited through aging organizations, disability organizations, and social media until thematic saturation was reached (n=20).

Interventions: Not applicable

Main Outcome Measures: Participants were asked a variety of open-ended, semi-structured interview questions inquiring about their perspectives and experiences with engaging in PA. The questions followed an iteratively developed interview guide vetted by disability, aging, and qualitative research experts. Data were analyzed using standard qualitative text analysis and deductive coding in NVivo 12 using an extensive coding scheme based upon our research questions. Codes were then developed into themes by the research team and validated by study participants using member checking methods.

Results: Four primary themes aligned with our research questions and emerged from the data: barriers and facilitators to engaging in PA, motivations and beliefs toward PA, self-reported benefits of PA, and PA routines and habits. Eighteen of twenty participants reported a desire to engage in more PA than they were currently doing.

Conclusions: Despite participants’ interest and motivation, engaging in PA is difficult for many AAwPD due to a multitude of barriers such as symptoms and secondary health conditions, accessibility concerns, and fear of falling. Most participants’ reported PA routines did not include the quantity or intensity levels needed to achieve meaningful health benefits according to current guidelines. Participants’ reported barriers and facilitators, motivations, benefits, and routines related to PA may help inform healthcare providers, community programs, and future interventions to improve PA levels for AAwPD, an underserved but growing demographic.

Author(s) Disclosures: The authors report no conflicts of interest.