Article

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) are less physically active than
those without the disease. Understanding the modifiable factors that are related
to physical inactivity is important for developing effective physical activity
programs. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to determine levels of
physical activity and to determine factors related to the physical activity
behavior of adults with MS by use of the Physical Activity for People With a
Disability (PAD) model. The PAD model combines the International Classification
of Functioning, Disability and Health framework of disability and theoretical
models of physical activity behavior. DESIGN: This investigation was a
cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study participants were 106 people who had MS
and who, since their definite diagnosis, had been participating in a prospective
cohort study. Physical activity was assessed with the Short Questionnaire to
Assess Health-Enhancing Physical Activity. The independent roles of disease
characteristics and demographic, cognitive-behavioral, and environmental factors
were determined using questionnaires for which reliability and validity have been
established. RESULTS: The median total level of physical activity of participants
with MS (mean age=42.8 years, median Expanded Disability Status Scale score=3,
disease duration=6 years) was 10.68 metabolic equivalents x h/d (interquartile
range=3.69-16.57). On average, participants spent 30 h/wk on activities with
metabolic equivalents of 2 or more (interquartile range=10.7-45.0 h/wk). The
regression models predicting physical activity behavior on the basis of
demographic (29.4%) and disease-related (28.3%) variables explained more variance
than the models based on cognitive-behavioral (12.0%) and environmental (9.1%)
variables. Combining significant variables yielded a final regression model that
explained 37.2% of the variance in physical activity. Significant determinants
were disease severity, a disability pension, and having children to care for.
LIMITATIONS: Changes in physical activity behavior were not measured.
CONCLUSIONS: Participants with MS were less active if their disease was more
severe, if they received a disability pension, or if they had children to care
for. The PAD model was helpful in understanding the physical activity behavior of
participants with MS.

Langue : ANGLAIS