The purpose of this study was to examine: (1) total physical activity and (2) the relative importance of functioning and disability, environmental and personal factors for total physical activity among young adults with a disability. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health developed by the World Health Organization was used as a structural framework for a cross-sectional survey, based on a questionnaire. The population studied was 327 young adults (age 18-30) with a disability who were members of interest organizations for persons with disabilities. Using an adapted version of the self-administered short form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the sample reported some differences in physical activity related to the type and the onset of disability. Linear regression analyses revealed that personal factors demonstrated more power in explaining the variance in physical activity than both the environmental factors and factors related to functioning and disability. As for the able-bodied, intrinsic motivation and identity as an active person were the factors most strongly associated with physical activity behavior. This should have important consequences for how professionals try to motivate people with disabilities for physical activity, and how they plan and implement rehabilitation.

We tested a self-determination theory (SDT) process model during a 3 week physical activity rehabilitation stay among young adults with a physical disability (N = 44, Mage = 24.7, SD = 5.1). As hypothesized, perceived autonomy support positively predicted needs satisfaction at the end of the stay (r = .38, p < .01). Further, needs satisfaction was positively linked to changes in autonomous motivation for physical activity (r = .47, p < .01). Both changes in autonomous motivation and self-efficacy were associated with physical activity increases over the stay (r = .57, p < .01 and r = .47, p < .01, respectively). Bootstrapping results supported the SDT process model, indicating a support for a development toward more self-determined motivation in rehabilitation. ties (Finch, Lawton, Williams, & Sloper, 2001). Scelza, Kalpakjian, Zemper, and Tate (2005) reported that lack of motivation, lack of energy, and lack of interest were the most frequently cited barriers to exercise among individuals bs_bs_banner

Through a triangulation of methods, we developed a tailored code set for the goal setting process in rehabilitation for children with a disability, taking into account both individual preferences and the health professionals' perspective. Although the external validity is limited, our methodological procedures may have relevance for the implementation of ICF in other clinical settings and populations.

The purpose of this article was to examine the literature on correlates and associations of physical activity among adults (age 16-65 years) with physical disabilities. Electronic searches were conducted to identify research articles published from 1980 to 2009. Specific inclusion criteria were identified. The search produced 4,189 articles; however, only 57 met all specified criteria. They represented seven different disability groups, including one cross-over category with two or more disabilities. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health developed by the World Health Organization were used as a structural framework for organizing the results. The results revealed a substantial core of research concerning a few disability groups, among them spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis. Significant correlates were identified in relation to type of disability and functioning, but also among environmental factors (e.g. costs, accessibility, built environment, information and social support) and personal factors (e.g. age, exercise self efficacy, depression, and mental health). Findings are discussed relative to conducting future physical activity research on persons with disabilities.

PurposeFirst, to evaluate the trajectories of physical and mental functioning in individuals with chronic disabilities receiving adapted physical activity-based rehabilitation. Second, to determine whether demographic factors, disability group, pain, fatigue and self-efficacy at baseline influenced these trajectories.Research designA prospective intervention study.MethodsThe study included 214 subjects with chronic disabilities who were admitted to a four-week adapted physical activity-based rehabilitation stay at Beitostølen Healthsports Centre. The subjects completed written questionnaires eight and four weeks before the rehabilitation, at admission to and discharge from the rehabilitation centre and again four weeks and 12 months after discharge. Multilevel models were performed to examine the trajectories of SF-12 physical and mental functioning with possible predictors.ResultsTime yielded a statistically significant effect on physical and mental functioning (p < 0.001). Low age (p = 0.002), no more than 2 h of personal assistance per week (p = 0.023), non-nervous system disability (p = 0.019), low pain level (p < 0.001) and high chronic disease-efficacy (p = 0.007) were associated with higher physical functioning. There was a greater improvement in physical functioning for subjects with lower chronic disease-efficacy at baseline (p = 0.036) and with a disability not associated with the nervous system (p = 0.040). Low fatigue (p = 0.001) and high chronic disease-efficacy (p = 0.004) predicted higher mental functioning. There was also a greater improvement in mental functioning for subjects with high fatigue (p =0.003) and low chronic disease efficacy at baseline (p = 0.032).ConclusionIndividuals with chronic disabilities who participated in an adapted physical activity-based intervention showed statistically significant increases in both physical and mental functioning across the 12 months after the intervention. The greatest improvement was among subjects with a high level of fatigue and low chronic disease-efficacy, as well as disabilities not associated with the nervous system, which has implications for the target groups in future rehabilitation.