Promoting physical activity to disabled people: messengers, messages, guidelines and communication formats

Abstract

Aim

The purpose of this paper is to share insights from an ongoing project that seeks to promote physical activity to disabled people.

Method

Narrative commentary.

Results

An overlooked yet important group of messengers for promoting physical activity is first highlighted. These are social workers. Second, the process of developing guidelines for these messengers is described and the guide signposted. Third, an infographic to communicate physical activity is highlighted and insights offered on some of the messages co-produced in it. These messages include a focus on pleasure, amounts of physical activity, strength, sedentariness, visual images, language, and different impairments.

Conclusion

The paper contributes to knowledge by offering new insights into how to promote physical activity to disabled people.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• A new group of messengers – social workers – for promoting physical activity to people with disabilities is highlighted.

• A guide for social workers to promote physical activity is described and offered.

• Insights for health promotion is offered on the co-production of physical activity messages.

Keywords:

• Disability
• physical activity
• health promotion
• messengers
• messages
• infographics

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by Public Health England and Sport England.