Behavioural epidemiology of physical activity in disabled people

Carr, Shelby (2024) Behavioural epidemiology of physical activity in disabled people. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Evidence indicates that physical activity is beneficially associated with many physical and mental health outcomes in disabled people. However, disabled people are more likely to be physically inactive than non-disabled people and face additional barriers to participation. Evidence on physical activity and health in disabled people is small relative to the nondisabled population, and typically focuses on the most prevalent health conditions. In addition, few studies have considered the associations of a person’s function with physical activity levels. This thesis presents four interlinked studies that aim to explore the relationship between health conditions, impairments, and physical activity levels, and identify actions to support disabled people to be active. Study 1 explores the measurement of disability within prospective and cross-sectional studies that included a device-based measurement of physical activity. Study 2 utilises data from the Health Survey for England to examine the cross-sectional associations of chronic conditions and disability with physical activity. In Study 3, data from the Sport England Active Lives survey is used to compare the type and duration of physical activity undertaken by disabled people, relative to non-disabled people. Lastly, Study 4 explores the actions disabled people feel are needed to help them be physically active. This thesis identifies diversity in disability measurement across physical activity studies and highlights the need for research to account for a person’s impairment type(s) as well as health condition(s). Activity types were largely similar in disabled and non-disabled people, however duration was lower among disabled people. Recommended actions including improved accessibility of activity provision, training activity providers on how to support disabled people, and better transport to activities, were reported by disabled people. Evidence within this thesis can be used to improve research, provision, and future policy actions aimed at increasing physical activity levels of the disabled population.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Jennifer Whitaker
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2025 09:30
Last Modified:	04 Apr 2025 09:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/98932
DOI:

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