Barriers Associated with General Activity Levels in Adults with Mobility Disabilities and Extreme Obesity: Implications for Coaching Interventions

Physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States, as well as a leading contributor to morbidity and functional limitations. Among people with disabilities, the rate of physical activity is significantly lower than in the general population, as twice as many adults with a disability may be physically inactive. Despite the utility of health behavior models in predicting exercise behavior, few studies have targeted removal of specific personal or environmental barriers affecting activity participation.

A sample consisting mostly of obese African American females with mobility disabilities (n = 93) was assessed on their perceived barriers to being active. Using multiple regression analysis, we examined what barriers affected general activity levels. Results indicated that health concerns (lack of energy, and pain), negative beliefs about exercise, limited social support from friends, family, and professionals, and fitness center facility accessibility were all predictive of lower general activity levels. Coaching interventions with this population must address such personal, interpersonal, and environmental barriers in order to assist such individuals in increasing activity levels and related health promoting behaviors.