Physical Activity Experiences of People with Multiple Sclerosis during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Alanna Koopmans and Chelsea Pelletier
Additional contact information
Alanna Koopmans: School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada
Chelsea Pelletier: School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC V2N 4Z9, Canada

Disabilities, 2022, vol. 2, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: During the COVID-19 pandemic, government and health officials introduced measures such as social distancing and facility closures that amplified barriers to physical activity. Certain groups, including people with multiple sclerosis (MS), have been underserved during the pandemic. In this qualitative study we aimed to: (1) explore the physical activity experiences of people with MS during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) identify the facilitators and barriers to physical activity during COVID-19 for people with MS; and (3) make recommendations for inclusive physical activity policy and programming. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 adults (9 women) with MS during January and February 2021. Following an inductive thematic analysis, three themes were developed: (1) changing opportunities and adapting to new opportunities; (2) social isolation and physical activity; and (3) adapting physical activity to stay safe from COVID-19. Common facilitators identified included having knowledge and resources to adapt activities, social connections, and access to outdoor recreation opportunities. Identified barriers included fear and anxiety related to the spread of the virus, a loss of in-person activity options, and the closure of physical activity spaces. Online and at-home opportunities for physical activity were a valued and accessible way to address barriers to physical activity for people with MS, and should be maintained post-pandemic while considering flexibility to accommodate variable support needs.

Keywords: physical activity; exercise; physical disabilities; multiple sclerosis; qualitative; COVID-19; barriers; facilitators; social ecological model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7272/2/1/4/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7272/2/1/4/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jdisab:v:2:y:2022:i:1:p:4-55:d:721571

Access Statistics for this article

Disabilities is currently edited by Ms. Cici Zhou

More articles in Disabilities from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().