Interrelations between factors related to physical activity in inactive adults with knee pain

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose was to explore interrelations between factors related to engagement in physical activity in inactive adults with knee pain.

Method

Inactive adults with knee pain (n = 35) participated in six focus groups designed to inquire about barriers and facilitators related with engagement in physical activity. Directed content analysis and inductive thematic analysis were used to identify factors related to physical activity and associated interrelations respectively. As an exploratory analysis, sex differences in barriers and facilitators to physical activity were assessed.

Results

In this cohort (age = 60.9 ± 8.6 years; 22 females), self-reported physical activity was 26.3 ± 46.8 min/week. Factors related to physical activity were grouped into domains of physical status, psychological status, environment, knowledge, and resources. It was seen that the interrelations between a person and their environment, as well as, between impairments and everyday responsibilities influenced engagement in physical activity. Females were more likely to identify physical and psychological status, social expectations, and lack of knowledge as barriers. Males indicated a preference for using mobile technologies to overcome barriers.

Conclusion

Interplay of various barriers and facilitators is related to engagement in physical activity in inactive older adults with knee pain. Interventions to promote physical activity should address these interrelations and sex differences.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Interrelations between individual factors related to engagement in physical activity and sex differences in these factors are present in inactive adults with knee pain.

• Interventions to improve physical activity should be implemented by addressing factors and interrelations between factors related to physical activity in inactive adults with knee pain.

• Interventions to address low levels of physical activity in adults with knee pain should take into account sex differences.

Keywords:

• Focus groups
• sex
• guidelines
• knee osteoarthritis
• physical activity
• psychosocial factors

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the NIH/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases [grant K01AR069720] and Boston University Digital Health Initiative [grant DHI 2017-02-011].