Experiences of integrating and sustaining physical activity in life with multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and ischaemic heart disease: a scoping review.
Stine G RoikjærSøren Thorgaard SkouSisse WalløeLars H TangMalene BeckCharlotte SimonÿNasrin AsgariPublished in: Disability and rehabilitation (2023)
The research literature presents a meaning to physical activity that extends the idea of physical fitness to one of existential movement and personal growth. In addition, our review finds that people are more likely to integrate and sustain physical activity if they feel acknowledged, supported and believe that physical activity has a meaningful purpose reflecting their sense of self. Taking a more person-centred approach in rehabilitative care might help qualify the content of physical activity in terms of integration into everyday life, but more research is needed on how to implement a person-centred approach in practice.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe research literature presents an experiential meaning to physical activity that extends the idea of physical fitness to one of more existential movement and personal growth.To ensure the integration of physical activity in people's everyday life, future rehabilitation interventions might benefit from adapting a more person-centred approach.People are more likely to sustain physical activity when they feel acknowledged, supported through social relationships, can access activities adapted to their specific needs and preferences, and believe that physical activity has a meaningful purpose reflecting their sense of self.