Increasing opportunities for physical activity participation among those living in Glasgow with a physical impairment

Craik, Julie L. (2005) Increasing opportunities for physical activity participation among those living in Glasgow with a physical impairment. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Physical inactivity is an important public health issue in Scotland with research indicating that the majority of people are not sufficiently active to derive health benefits (Scottish Executive Health Department, 1998). It is therefore widely recognised that there is a need to develop strategies and interventions to enable and encourage people, including disabled people to become more active (Glasgow Healthy City Partnership Physical Activity Forum, 2004; Scottish Executive, 2003b). As those with physical impairments are often cited as being amongst the most inactive of the population the purpose of this study was, through the development of three separate studies, to examine ways in which physical activity opportunities within Glasgow could be increased for those with physical impairments. This was done through the development of three separate studies with differing methodologies. Study 1 was the evaluation of a pilot programme designed to increase opportunities to participate in physical activity for individuals with physical impairments, individuals were recruited through the distribution of flyers and data was collected by a variety of means including observation, questionnaires and one to one interviews. Study 2 evolved as a result of some of the findings of the evaluation and examined what health and fitness opportunities were currently available for individuals with physical impairments within the City of Glasgow and critiqued the current gym equipment present within Glasgow City Council leisure facilities. The information used for analysis was gathered through websites, reports and by making contact with key individuals in the field of disability and physical activity. The final study surveyed individuals with physical impairments and parent/carers of people with physical impairments to examine their behaviours, beliefs, barriers and facilitators in relation to physical activity. Individuals and parents and carers were recruited voluntarily through disability and carer organisations. Having examined the findings fi-om each of these studies there seemed to be four key areas in which work could be undertaken to enable those with physical impairments to become more active, namely, information and education, staff training, equipment and provision of opportunities for physical activity.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Keywords: Public health, physical education.
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Supervisor's Name: Mutrie, Prof. Nanette
• Date of Award: 2005
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2005-71934
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 17 May 2019 09:31
• Last Modified: 09 Aug 2021 13:13
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/71934