Physical activity participation in Australians with multiple sclerosis: associations with geographical remoteness

Abstract

Purpose

Physical activity (PA) participation offers many benefits for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Persons with MS are significantly less active than the general population; however, there is insufficient evidence regarding the association between geographical remoteness and PA participation in persons with MS. We identify PA levels across levels of rurality in an Australian MS population.

Materials and methods

The Australian MS Longitudinal Study collects regular survey data from persons with MS in Australia, including demographic, clinical, and health behavioural data. Physical activity engagement was identified with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form and geographical remoteness was identified from participants’ postcode using the Access and Remoteness Index for Australia. Hurdle regression analysis examined the relationship between remoteness and PA participation, and level of PA, after controlling for confounding.

Results

Data from 1260 respondents showed that 24% of persons with MS did not participate in any PA. Remoteness was not associated with the participation in any PA (OR 1.04; 89% highest density probability interval (HDPI) estimate 0.88, 1.22). Amongst those with any PA (n = 960), those living in more remote areas had, on average, higher levels of PA (RR 1.21; 89% HDPI estimate 1.11, 1.34).

Conclusions

Physical activity promotion does not need to differ based on geographical location.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Almost one quarter of persons with MS in our study recorded no participation in any physical activity (PA).

• Healthcare practitioners are encouraged to include the promotion of PA as part of MS management.

• Physical activity participation is similar for persons with MS across different geographical locations.

• Physical activity promotion does not need to differ based on geographical location.

Keywords:

• Multiple sclerosis
• physical activity
• epidemiology
• urban population
• rural population
• social determinants

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all the participants in the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study for their support and willingness to complete the surveys.

Disclosure statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Funding

The Australian MS Longitudinal Study is funded by Multiple Sclerosis Australia. CHM, IvM, and YCL are funded by MS Australia Fellowships.