Motivating factors for physical activity participation among individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A qualitative study applying the motivation, opportunity, and ability model

Abstract

Objective The study aims to explore the driving forces behind physical activity engagement among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, focusing on motivation, opportunity, and capability. Design A phenomenological qualitative study applied the motivation, opportunity, and capability model, conducted in two respiratory units of a Chinese university hospital. Methods Participants, selected by age, gender, and illness duration, included inpatients during the interview sessions and those recently discharged within six months. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by the Colaizzi seven-step method. Results Seventeen participants diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for over one year aged between 66 (range: 42–96) participated. Three major themes were identified: Inspiring participation motivation—transitioning from recognizing significance to habit formation; Offering participation opportunities—reiterating demand for personalized strategies and ideal environmental settings; Enhancing participation capability—addressing strategies for overcoming fears, setting goals, ensuring safety, and adjusting activity levels. Conclusions This research underscores the vital role of inspiring participation motivation, offering opportunities, and enhancing the capability for participation in effective engagement. Advocating increased attention from healthcare departments, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, improving activity guidance and counseling effectiveness, and considering individual preferences can significantly benefit those patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who hesitate or are unable to participate in physical activities, thereby increasing the dose of non-leisure time physical activity.