Advisor(s)
James Rimmer
Jereme Wilroy
Committee Member(s)
Leigh Dayton
Robert Oster
Robin Lanzi
School
School of Health Professions
Document Type
Dissertation
Department (new version)
Physical Therapy
Date of Award
1-6-2025
Abstract
People with physical disabilities and mobility limitations can greatly benefit from participating in a physically active lifestyle and adopting health-promoting strategies and behaviors. Benefits of physical activity include better sleep quality and quantity; decreased anxiety; weight loss or healthy weight maintenance; and maintained or increased balance, coordination, strength, and endurance, to name a few. However, rates of physical activity and exercise participation are disproportionate among people with disabilities (PWD). Current literature suggests a myriad of barriers and environmental inaccessibility as a leading cause of PWD not engaging or meeting physical activity guidelines. However, community-based, virtually-delivered programs have become dramatically available as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and has shifted the perspective of accessible physical activity participation. We thoroughly explored this topic and identified factors of program participation, engagement, and adherence using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. We used three community-based programs that virtually deliver adaptable content (Mindfulness, Exercise, and Nutrition To Optimize Resilience [MENTOR], Growing Resilience Out of Wellness & Thoughtful Habits [GROWTH], and State of Slim Everybody [SOSE]). All three programs were found to have moderate-to-high adherence among PWD. Results demonstrated statistically significant relationships between program adherence and lifestyle implementation. Virtual exercise delivery should align with participant’s personal and behavioral reasons for participating. Qualitative interviews of MENTOR participants demonstrated specific areas of statistical significance regarding adherence to and implementation following an exercise program. These included 1) subjective motives to remain committed, 2) consistent class times, 3) disability representation, and 4) positive relationships with disability-trained instructors. Regarding socioenvironmental factors of participation and implementation, MENTOR participants desired 1) disability friendly online environment, 2) access to one-on-one appointments with exercise instructor, and 4) social time in addition to lecture time. Statistically significant relationships between factors of program adherence and participants from GROWTH, and SOSE included disability status, age, level of education, and race. These were found to have a significant link affecting the likelihood of high adherence among PWD enrolled in health and wellness programs. Overall, these findings can help future programs create adherence strategies to increase program adherence and physical activity lifestyle implementation following the program. Keywords: community-based programs, virtual delivery, exercise, people with disabilities, program adherence, lifestyle implementation
ProQuest ID
Recommended Citation
Mintz, Madison, "Perceptions And Preferences Of Virtual Health To Promote Exercise Among People With Physical Disabilities: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study" (2025). All ETDs from UAB. 7256.
https://digitalcommons.library.uab.edu/etd-collection/7256
