Graduation Date

Summer 2017

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Program

Master of Science degree with a major in Kinesiology, option Teaching/Coaching

Committee Chair Name

Dr. Sean Healy

Committee Chair Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Second Committee Member Name

Dr. Christopher Hopper

Second Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Third Committee Member Name

Dr. Jayne Mcguire

Third Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Fourth Committee Member Affiliation

HSU Faculty or Staff

Keywords

disabilities, physical activity, adults

Subject Categories

Kinesiology

Abstract

Children and adults with disabilities are at greater risk of developing higher levels of obesity, and chronic diseases associated with obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014). Physical activity is crucial to maintaining health, mobility, and slowing disease progression for all people, especially those experiencing disability. Despite this fact, physical activity levels in individuals with disabilities are very low (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2006). Lower physical activity levels in are the result of a complex interactions of personal and environmental factors that unfold across a lifespan. Research on the facilitators and barriers to physical activity among adults with disabilities is limited and tends to focus on the immediate barriers to physical activity such as income and expenditure, availability of facilities, and community access (Messent, Cook, and Long (2009); Buffart, Westendorp, van den Berg-Emons, Henk, Roebroeck (2009), neglecting social and emotional barriers and facilitators. To understand the factors that contribute to health participation in health promoting physical activity, this research will focus on the experiences of adults with disabilities in physical activity participation. This is a phenomenological study consisting of semi-structured interviews with 8 adults who attend or have attended an adapted physical education class. The interviews are recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify themes in perceptions of physical activity participation.

Citation Style

APA

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