Perceptions of community-based online exercise programming for persons with multiple sclerosis during COVID-19: A qualitative case study

ABSTRACT

Exercise can preserve physical, cognitive, and physiological functioning in adults living with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), making it critical to understand exercise programming options, such as online programming, that may reduce exercise related barriers in this population. Using an exploratory case study design, we qualitatively examined the perceptions and experiences of online exercise programming among persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Seven individuals recruited from the Brock Functional Inclusive Training Centre (Bfit) completed semi-structured interviews which were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Three major themes were generated from the data: (1) Give and take: Accessibility to exercise, (2) It’s just not real: Experiences and perceptions of technology, and (3) It’s so much more than exercise: The importance of connecting with others. Participants described increased accessibility to exercise, however, barriers to accessibility were also articulated. Previous experiences and attitudes towards using online platforms strongly impacted perceptions of technology positively and negatively. Perceptions of community in the online exercise programming impacted participants’ experiences and motivation to engage in exercise. In comparison to facility-based programs, social experiences were hindered; however online exercise programming offered more social opportunities than having no online options. Our findings highlight the complex perceptions of online exercise programming for PwMS. Practitioners should attempt to address challenges of online exercise offerings to create a better experience for this population.

KEYWORDS:

• multiple sclerosis
• online exercise programming
• COVID-19
• perceptions
• experiences

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplemental material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2023.2245403

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarah C Galway

Sarah C. Galway is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences at Brock University. She is passionate about promoting healthy attitudes and motives for eating and exercise. In addition, Sarah is interested in fostering positive body image experiences in a variety of populations including athletes, older adults, and clinical populations through physical activity, and currently teaches a variety of group exercise classes to populations across the lifespan.

Olivia S Parker

Olivia S. Parker recently finished her MSc and is an incoming PhD student at Brock University. She graduated from with her undergrad in Kinesiology and Minor in Psychology. She currently works home to home with persons with Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease and teaches in-person stability ball classes at the Brock Functional Inclusive Training (Bfit) centre. Olivia has previously taught online fitness classes to older adults with Parkinson’s Disease, spinal cord injury.

Matthieu Dagenais

Matthieu Dagenais is a PhD candidate at Brock University. Matthieu recently graduated from the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto. Matthieu’s research interests include physical activity, physical activity promotion, and positive body image across diverse populations.

Kimberley Lyn Gammage

Kimberley L. Gammage is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Brock University, and the Director of the Seniorfit program at the Brock Functional Inclusive Training (Bfit) centre. She is also the Graduate Program Director of the Master of Professional Kinesiology Program at Brock University. Her research interests are in the area of exercise psychology, body image, and self-presentation.