Feasibility and short-term effects of Activity Coach+: a physical activity intervention in hard-to-reach people with a physical disability

Abstract

Purpose: Existing physical activity interventions do not reach a considerable proportion of physically disabled people. This study assessed feasibility and short-term effects of Activity Coachþ, a communitybased intervention especially targeting this hard-to-reach population. Methods: Feasibility was determined by reach, dropouts, and compliance with the protocol. Physical activity was measured with the Activ8 accelerometer and the adapted SQUASH questionnaire. Health outcomes were assessed by body composition, blood pressure, hand grip force, 10-metre walk test, 6-minute walk test, and the Berg Balance Scale. The RAND-36, Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, and IMPACT-S were administered. Measurements were performed at baseline and after 2 and 4 months. Changes over time were analysed by Friedman tests. Results: Twenty-nine participants enrolled during the first 4 months, of whom two dropped out. Intervention components were employed in 86-100% of the participants. Physical activity did not change after the implementation of Activity Coachþ. Body mass index (p ¼ 0.006), diastolic blood pressure (p ¼ 0.032), walking ability (p ¼ 0.002), exercise capacity (p ¼ 0.013), balance (p ¼ 0.014), and vitality (p ¼ 0.049) changed over time.Conclusions: Activity Coach þ is feasible in a community setting. Indications for effectivity of Activity Coach þ in hard-to-reach people with a physical disability were found. ä IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Activity Coach þ was able to reach physically disabled people living in community, a population that is assumed hard-to-reach. Activity Coach þ was feasible in a population of persons with a physical disability that was heterogeneous with respect to age and (severity of) disability. The current study provides the first indications for the beneficial health effects of Activity Coach þ in hard-to-reach people with a physical disability. ARTICLE HISTORY

Physical activity behaviour up to 1 year post-rehabilitation among adults with physical disabilities and/or chronic diseases: results of the prospective cohort study ReSpAct

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first prospective cohort study that considers all dose characteristics (duration, setting, intensity, mode and frequency) of PA in a large heterogeneous population of adults with physical disabilities/chronic diseases. Compared with previous studies (self-reported PA in specific disability groups and in heterogeneous disability groups), our participants were more active in total PA, MVPA and leisure time PA 8 20 22 40–45. Furthermore, the proportion of participants adhering to the aerobic component of the WHO PA guideline (>150 min of moderate PA, >75 min of vigorous PA or combination of both) is higher in our population compared with previous research (68%–74% vs 35%–60%) 8 46–48.…”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Social Isolation among Adults with Physical Disabilities Living in Canada and The Netherlands

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Developing Indicators to Evaluate Instructor Management of Sports Centers for the People With Disabilities Based on Universal Design Principles in South Korea

“…Therefore, the management of the instructor who guides the disabled or the evaluation of the instructor's ability should be prioritized ( 44 ). In particular, the ability of the instructor is more important for exercise ( 45 ). In elite games, the ability of the instructor determines whether the team will win or lose.…”