Commitment to physical activity and health: a case study of a Paralympic Gold medallist

Abstract

Background: Physical activity has been documented as both beneficial and detrimental for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). The varied experience highlights challenges associated with physical activity and MS, requiring a greater understanding of the experiences of exercise for individuals with MS.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore how physical activity played a role in the life of a Paralympic Gold medallist. Carol was diagnosed with MS and went onto achieve the highest accolade in Paralympic sport.

Methods: Narrative inquiry, within a single-case design, explored how physical activity played a role in Carol’s life. The narrative was analysed through the lens of a salutogenic framework, which explores how individuals create health despite adverse circumstances.

Findings: Carol’s physical activity pathway explores life before and after her diagnosis, motivations to return to exercise and pathway to Paralympic Gold. Carol’s experiences highlight how physical activity played a role during various stages of her life. Exercise had a significant role in Carol’s life prior to diagnosis, it assisted in the management of MS and she cycled the elite level, winning a Paralympic Gold medal in para-cycling.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Physical activity has been reported as beneficial for multiple sclerosis management; however, there can be a fine line between the benefits and an overload that can harm.

• An elite athlete with multiple sclerosis maintained and sustained physical activity to the highest level in elite sport, incorporating a positive health outlook throughout different stages of her life.

• The case highlights how commitment and self-awareness of capabilities and limits may be useful self-management tools in increasing physical activity for individuals living with multiple sclerosis.

Keywords:

• Multiple sclerosis
• physical activity
• Paralympic sport
• para-cycling
• elite sport

Disclosure statement

This work was funded by the Centre of Excellence and Applied Sport Science Research, Queensland Academy of Sport. The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the Centre of Excellence for Applied Sport Science Research, Queensland Academy of Sport.