Motivation for physical activity in adolescents with asthma

Abstract

Objective

We explored motivation for physical activity (PA) and exercise in adolescents with asthma who entered and continued a 10-week play-based exercise intervention.

Methods

Eighteen adolescents with asthma, aged 13–17 years, participated in a 10-week play- and interval-based indoor exercise intervention during winter and autumn months. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted in weeks 2 and 8, focusing on motivation for PA and exercise, as well as field observations of exercise sessions in weeks 2, 6, and 8. The first interview was analyzed separately from the second one and descriptive observational data were obtained using thematic analysis and self-determination theory as a framework.

Results

In the first round of focus group interviews, participants (n = 18) described amotivation and motivation for PA within the following five themes: “teachers’ lack of asthma knowledge”, “embarrassment over asthma symptoms”, “not being able to keep pace with peers”, “seasonal challenges”, and “mastering fun physical activities”. Based on the second interview (n = 14) and descriptive observational data (n = 18), participants reported and revealed amotivation and motivation for PA within the following four themes: “understanding and relatedness”, “social support”, “competition”, and “mastering fun activities”.

Conclusion

We conclude that play-based exercises designed for groups of adolescents with asthma can support motivation for PA and exercise and reduce social and asthma-specific barriers.

Keywords:

• Exercise
• obstructive lung disease
• focus groups
• qualitative research
• youth
• play
• barriers

Acknowledgements

We offer special thanks to the students who led the exercise sessions and to the cooperating health personnel who assisted in the recruitment of participants.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest. We alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Funding

This work was supported by the Research Fund for Asthma and Allergy in Norway.