Understanding physical activity participation in spinal cord injured populations: Three narrative types for consideration

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identity the types of physical activity narratives drawn upon by active spinal injured people. More than 50 h of semi-structured life-story interview data, collected as part of larger interdisciplinary program of disability lifestyle research, was analysed for 30 physically active male and female spinal cord injury (SCI) participants. A structural narrative analysis of data identified three narrative types which people with SCI draw on: (1) exercise is restitution, (2) exercise is medicine, and (3) exercise is progressive redemption. These insights contribute new knowledge by adding a unique narrative perspective to existing cognitive understanding of physical activity behaviour in the spinal cord injured population. The implications of this narrative typology for developing effective positive behavioural change interventions are critically discussed. It is concluded that the identified narratives types may be constitutive, as well as reflective, of physical activity experiences and therefore may be a useful tool on which to base physical activity promotion initiatives.

Physical activity promotion for people with spinal cord injury: physiotherapists’ beliefs and actions

“…The exercise is restitution narrative has a storyline that projects a concrete hope for recovery or cure following SCI through engaging in exercise. [49] These beliefs regarding PA initiatives such as ABR highlight a breakdown in communication between the physiotherapists in SCI centres and health practitioners in the community. Drawing upon the social relational model of disability, not promoting PA through ABR could also be viewed as a form of social oppression.…”

Participant experiences and perceptions of physical activity-enhancing interventions for people with physical impairments and mobility limitations: a meta-synthesis of qualitative research evidence

“…For instance, narrative resources such as aural stories or films can motivate participants to change their behavior as they can relate to the thoughts, concerns and actions of characters within the stories . Certainly, the exercise is medicine narrative -which focuses upon stories of health improvement and illness prevention -has been identified as an idealistic message to promote PA to disabled people (see Papathomas, Williams & Smith, 2015).…”

Disability and the gym: experiences, barriers and facilitators of gym use for individuals with physical disabilities

“…By 18 analyzing which narratives an individual choses, researchers can gain a greater understanding 19 of the lived experience of that individual [40] . Put into context, participants' belief that exercise 20 would improve physical health could relate to a narrative of 'exercise is medicine' which has 21 the plot of "I experienced an ailment, then I engaged in exercise, then the ailment is eased or 22 eradicated" [41] . All participants seemed to be aware of this narrative.…”