Requirements on a community-based intervention for stimulating physical activity in physically disabled people: a focus group study amongst experts

Abstract

According to experts adapting an existing intervention, together with increased collaboration between organisations, will be effective in stimulating physical activity in the target population. This study provides requirements on an intervention to stimulate physical activity, and suggestions for the approach of the target population, finance, and responsibility. Implications for Rehabilitation There is no need for designing a new intervention, but need for adaptation of an existing intervention for stimulating physical activity in physically disabled people. An intervention to stimulate physical activity in physically disabled people should aim to change participants and environmental attitude towards physical activity, and to increase the visibility of potential activities. Methods for stimulating physical activity in physically disabled people could be the use of individual coaching, feedback, a trial period, and role models. Potential participants should be personally approached via a network of intermediate organisations and via marketing, and the social environment.

Evaluation of a sitting light volleyball intervention to adults with physical impairments: qualitative study using social–ecological model

“…Consistent with research on PWPI [20] and experts who work for people with disabilities [21] that has addressed the requirements of a PA intervention for PWPI, the present study highlights the need for social interaction during PAs. People participating in sports interact with each other through teamwork, thereby developing social skills and strengthening their social development [22,23].…”

Development of an intervention to stimulate physical activity in hard-to-reach physically disabled people and design of a pilot implementation: an intervention mapping approach

“…Demands on a PA-stimulating intervention for physically disabled people were investigated by qualitative research among the target population and professionals working in the field of PA for physically disabled people. 26 Resulting from the qualitative research, PA participation can be subdivided into the following performance objectives: increasing participation in organised PA, non-organised PA and activities of daily living (ADL). Performance objectives at the environmental level are increasing stimulation to participate in organised PA, non-organised PA and PA during ADL ( figure 1 ).…”

“…At the environmental level, changeable determinants were social norms, physical environment and social support ( figure 1 ). 26 27 Following the IM methodology, matrices of change objectives were created by crossing each performance objective with the changeable determinants ( table 1 ). Change objectives then specify what needs to be achieved in order to accomplish the performance objectives.…”

“…The theory-based methods, and the practical application of the methods were selected based on the demands of physically disabled people and professionals, resulting from the qualitative studies. 26 27 Table 2 provides an overview of the selected theoretical methods and the practical applications, separated for each determinant. Ten different intervention methods resulting from the qualitative research are described in table 2 .…”

Effect of a Graduated Walking Program on the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…A noteworthy feature of our study was its 24-week duration, which is longer than most clinical trials in which physical activity is the primary intervention of the rehabilitation program [ 12 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 29 ], typically ranging between 1 week [ 27 ] and 12 weeks [ 12 , 30 ]. This longer duration probably led to, in both groups, a decrease in body weight, neck circumference, and daytime sleepiness, and to a lower impact of daytime sleepiness on activities of daily living.…”