Physical activity in the life of a woman with cerebral palsy: physiotherapy, social exclusion, competence, and intimacy

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Gaskin, Cadeyrn J, Andersen, Mark B and Morris, Tony (2012) Physical activity in the life of a woman with cerebral palsy: physiotherapy, social exclusion, competence, and intimacy. Disability and Society, 27 (2). pp. 205-218. ISSN 0968-7599 (print), 1360-0508 (online)

Abstract

Although physical activity can have substantial mental and physical health benefits, people with cerebral palsy usually lead sedentary lives. To understand, at an individual level, this inactivity, we interviewed a 29-year-old minimally active woman with cerebral palsy (Alana) about the meanings and experiences of physical activity throughout her life. Using a case-study approach, we found that Alana had adverse childhood experiences with physical activity, including: having to perform difficult, and sometimes painful, physiotherapy; wearing callipers to assist her walking; demonstrating limited competence at physical activity; being excluded from physical education and other organised physical activity at school; and feeling socially isolated from her classmates. These experiences seemed to contribute to feelings of difference/inferiority and the subsequent avoidance of physical activity, which, in turn, might have contributed to premature functional decline. Physical activity levels in people with cerebral palsy might be increased through focusing on enhancing childhood experiences.

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Item type Article
URI https://vuir.vu.edu.au/id/eprint/23202
DOI 10.1080/09687599.2011.644931
Official URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/0968759...
Subjects Historical > FOR Classification > 1608 Sociology
Historical > FOR Classification > 1701 Psychology
Current > Division/Research > College of Sports and Exercise Science
Keywords ResPubID25769, cerebral palsy, disability, exercise, physical activity, physical therapy, psychosocial issues, adolescence, psychology, social relationships
Citations in Scopus 10 - View on Scopus
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