Quality of Physical Activity Participation Among Adults with Disabilities Through Pandemic Restriction

Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2023 · DOI: 10.1177/00084174231160954 · Published: May 1, 2023

Simple Explanation

The study examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the quality of physical activity for adults with disabilities, focusing on aspects like feeling independent, connected, engaged, and having a sense of purpose. Researchers used interviews and surveys to understand how restrictions changed people's experiences with physical activity, looking at things like their motivation, access to support, and ability to adapt. The findings suggest that mental health played a significant role in how adults with disabilities experienced physical activity during the pandemic, highlighting the importance of considering emotional well-being in physical activity programs.

Study Duration

May-2020 and February-2021

Participants

61 community-dwelling adults over 19 years of age with stroke, spinal cord injury, or other physical disabilities

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated adjustments in participants' PA participation, leading to increased engagement in sedentary activities.
2
Environmental factors like facility closures and weather conditions significantly impacted participants' motivation for PA participation.
3
Participants emphasized the value of receiving social support in PA participation, with structured classes and community support enhancing engagement and belongingness.

Research Summary

This study explored the impact of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the quality of physical activity (PA) participation among adults with disabilities, using a mixed-methods design involving interviews and surveys. The qualitative findings identified three themes: adjusting PA participation to meet restriction requirements, coping with barriers in motivation, and valuing social support. These themes highlighted the complex interplay between various factors influencing PA participation. While the qualitative analysis revealed key themes, the quantitative analysis did not find statistically significant relationships between potential predictors (technology readiness, mental health, resilience, social support, life-space mobility) and overall quality of PA participation, suggesting a more complex relationship than initially hypothesized.

Practical Implications

Home-Based PA Interventions

Future research should explore how home-based PA interventions for adults with disabilities can better support quality participation, especially in terms of autonomy and engagement.

Mental Health Integration

PA programs should consider the significant role of mental health, as anxiety and depression can negatively impact motivation and engagement in PA for individuals with disabilities.

Social Support Systems

Structural and community support systems are crucial for maintaining PA engagement and belongingness. Efforts should be made to restore and enhance these systems, ensuring accessibility and accommodation for individuals with disabilities.

Study Limitations

1
The MeEAP is a relatively new measurement tool, and its applications for measuring quality of participation are still being explored.
2
The survey sample was relatively small, limiting the ability to detect more nuanced regression relationships.
3
Generalizability was limited by the focus on British Columbia, Canada, where curfews and more severe lockdown measures were not implemented.

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