Perceptions of ‘physical activity’ and ‘exercise’ among people living with HIV: A qualitative study

Abstract

Background/Aims: Many people living with HIV do not engage in regular physical activity and it is unclear how perceptions of physical activity and exercise influence participation. Our aim was to explore individual perceptions of physical activity and exercise in people living with HIV. Methods: We conducted a descriptive qualitative study using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. We recruited adults who self-identified as living with HIV from a speciality hospital in Toronto, Canada. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: A total of 14 participants with a median age of 50 years participated in the study. Four themes (and subsequent sub-themes) emerged relating to physical activity and exercise. These included: (1) perceptions of physical activity and exercise (seeing them as a continuum of activity, as a health-promoting behaviour, and that they ‘should’ be a greater priority); (2) benefits (restores physical function, improves mental health, and prevents isolation); (3) risks (physical injury, pain, and fear of ‘overdoing it’); and (4) recommendations for engagement (education, graded activity, and an individualised approach). Conclusions: Findings suggest health care professionals should consider exploring perceptions of physical activity and exercise among people living with HIV to ensure physical activity interventions are individualised to meet their diverse health and wellbeing needs.

Perceived barriers to and facilitators of physical activity in people living with HIV: A qualitative study in a French sample

“…36,37 Similarly, physical barriers such as breathlessness, muscular and articular pain and emaciation were also among the facilitators, when PA was a way of alleviating pain or improving physical condition. These physical barriers and facilitators previously identified in the literature, with muscular pain as part of body pain being reported, 24,38 and higher cardiovascular fitness, as an index of improved physical condition, being associated with higher PA participation. 15 Beyond the specificities of PLHIV, comparable physical barriers to and facilitators of PA have been reported among the elderly or in other populations with chronic diseases.…”

“…Vader et al. 24 enriched these findings by looking at the perceptions of PLHIV towards PA and exercise. They identified beliefs related to exercise benefits (including improved physical and mental functioning, preventing isolation) and exercise risks (including risks of physical injury and fear of overdoing it ).…”

Miedo en contextos de educación física, actividad física y deporte: revisión narrativa (2010-2019)

“…por consiguiente, resulta imprescindible entender que el miedo puede producirse por múltiples motivos y, por ello, es necesario comprenderlos para favorecer el aprendizaje en contextos de actividad física y deporte (Barker, Nyberg y Larsson, 2019;canales-Lacruz y rey-cao, 2014;Salvador-García, chiva-Bartoll y vergaz, 2018). Igualmente, el miedo actuaría como barrera para la actividad física en contextos de salud pública, de modo que es fundamental aplicar estrategias que lo reduzcan en pacientes con diferentes enfermedades (curbelo, Zarco, Almodóvar, Flórez y carmona, 2017;Gay, Eschalier, Levyckyj, Bonnin y coudeyre, 2018;vader et al, 2017;Ziebart et al, 2018). con base en lo mencionado anteriormente, este estudio de revisión tuvo por objetivo analizar los sentidos subjetivos del miedo en las personas en los contextos de ef, actividad física y deporte.…”

“…No obstante, se ha identificado el miedo como una emoción que actuaría como una barrera para la práctica de actividad física. En concreto, por el miedo a las lesiones, al fracaso o al dolor en pacientes con espondiloartritis, osteoporosis, lesión de medula espinal, osteoartritis de rodilla, obesidad, vih y rotura del ligamento cruzado anterior (curbelo et al, 2017;Gay, Eschalier et al, 2018;Mcveigh y pack, 2015;Smith, papathomas, Martin, Latimer-cheung, 2013;piana et al, 2013;vader et al, 2017;Ziebart et al, 2018).…”

Strengths and Challenges of Implementing Physiotherapy in an HIV Community-Based Care Setting: A Qualitative Study of Perspectives of People Living with HIV and Healthcare Providers

“…12 At the core, physiotherapy care strives to maximize function and improve overall quality of life. 12 Within the context of HIV, physiotherapists can assess barriers and perspectives towards physical activity and exercise among PLWH 13 , 14 and provide tailored support to facilitate engagement in exercise in order to improve muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness. 15 , 16 Physiotherapists can also implement rehabilitation interventions which may improve general health, social functioning, and emotional well-being among PLWH.…”