Movement perceived as chores or a source of joy: a phenomenological-hermeneutic study of physical activity and health

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUALITATIVE STUDIES ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, 2018 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2018.1516088 · Published: August 14, 2018

Participation Rehabilitation Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

The study explores how people with spinal cord injury, low back pain, and heart disease perceive physical activity. It reveals that physical activity can be seen as anything from an unpleasant chore to a joyful experience. The meaning people assign to physical activity influences their engagement. Some pursue it for enjoyment, others to complete chores, and some minimize it to basic functioning. These meanings can coexist, depending on various factors. Understanding these varying perspectives can help health professionals tailor their support, making physical activity more appealing and sustainable for individuals with different health challenges.

Study Duration

10 years

Participants

71 participants with spinal cord injury, low back pain and heart disease

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Physical activity can be perceived as a source of joy, a means to overcome bodily struggles in daily chores, or simply a way to minimize bodily functions for basic daily life.
2
Individuals may be motivated by positive incentives such as bodily well-being and positive mood, or by negative incentives such as fear and obligation, which influences their engagement in physical activity.
3
Ten different approaches to physical activity were identified, illustrating how individuals can be motivated or demotivated by various factors, such as being a sportsman, a competitor, a social person, or feeling exhausted.

Research Summary

This study explores the diverse meanings people ascribe to physical activity, revealing it can range from an unpleasant chore to a source of joy. These meanings impact how individuals engage with physical activity in their daily lives. The research identifies ten distinct approaches to physical activity, highlighting the varied motivations and demotivations people experience. These include viewing physical activity as a sport, a competition, a social engagement, or a burdensome task. The findings emphasize the importance of health professionals understanding these individual perspectives to tailor support effectively. By identifying driving forces like passion or social connection, professionals can promote more sustainable engagement in physical activity.

Practical Implications

Personalized Support

Health professionals should engage in dialogues with patients to understand the personal meaning they assign to physical activity.

Positive Approach

Prioritize supporting patients in finding physical activities they experience as joyful to promote long-term engagement and well-being.

Driving Forces

Identify and leverage individual driving forces, such as social engagement or moral obligation, to help patients overcome discomfort and incorporate physical activity into their lives.

Study Limitations

1
Meanings can be added.
2
Most needed in relation to patients suffering from severe health issues that make physical activity too much of a struggle.
3
The knowledge was developed from a larger group of people that had rehabilitated from three different diagnosis.

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