Physical activity type and duration in disabled and non-disabled adults

Carr, Shelby, Atkin, Andrew J. and Milton, Karen (2025) Physical activity type and duration in disabled and non-disabled adults. Disability and Health Journal, 18 (3). ISSN 1936-6574

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Abstract

Background: Disabled people are more likely to be physically inactive than non-disabled people, yet limited research has explored the types of physical activities that disabled people participate in. Objectives: This study describes the types of physical activities that disabled people participate in, and compares activity frequency and duration to non-disabled people. Methods: Using cross-sectional data from the 2018/19 Sport England Active Lives survey, participants were categorised into three groups (disability – substantial effect on daily activities; disability – non-substantial effect on daily activities; no disability), and activity types were grouped into 17 categories including athletic, leisure, and swimming. Chi-squared tests and multivariable linear regression were used to compare participation in each activity category across the sub-groups. Results: Of 158,995 participants, 18% (n=29,057) had a disability that had a substantial effect on daily activities, 21% (n=33,004) had a disability with a non-substantial effect on daily activities, and 61% (n=96,934) had no disability. Leisure was the most frequently reported activity type and of longest duration (median (interquartile range) mins/day: disability – substantial effect on daily activities: 315 (120–700); disability – non-substantial effect on daily activities: 390 (180–750); no disability: 375 (165–750)). Whilst activity duration was typically higher among people with no disability, artistic activities and swimming were higher for people with a disability that had a substantial effect on daily activities. Conclusions: Activity choices were similar among sub-groups, however participation rates and activity duration were typically lower among disabled people. Reducing inequalities in physical activity participation will require improved access, opportunities, and support.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Funding information: This research was funded by a University of East Anglia Faculty of Medicine and Health Studentship awarded to the lead author.
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Health Sciences Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Clinical Trials Unit Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Norwich Epidemiology Centre Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Promotion Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health
Related URLs:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?...
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	17 Feb 2025 12:30
Last Modified:	05 Jun 2025 11:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/98515
DOI:	10.1016/j.dhjo.2025.101786

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