title: Promoting physical activity for individuals with neurological disability: indications for practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explored processes that influenced involvement in recreational exercise for individuals with neurological disability, to identify strategies to promote physical activity for health and well-being in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen participants (11 males and eight females), aged 20-71 years, with a range of neurological conditions and functional limitations, were recruited in one large metropolitan area in New Zealand. Individual semi-structured interviews explored participants' views, perceptions, and experiences of undertaking recreational exercise. Data were analysed for themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For some individuals, recreational exercise is undertaken for its physical, psychological, or social benefits, despite the physical activity itself feeling relatively unsatisfactory. In contrast, individuals who are able to undertake their preferred choice of recreational exercise experience intense satisfaction. This motivates self-maintenance of physical activity, even for those individuals who require carer support or assistance to do so.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has identified that there can be two forms of involvement in recreational exercise that allows individuals with neurological disability to become more physically active. The information could be further developed and tested in intervention studies to provide strategies for health professionals to facilitate engagement in physical activity for people with neurological disability.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Physiotherapy Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Hilda.mulligan@otago.ac.nz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mulligan
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Whitehead
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Baxter
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009520:New Zealand; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011998:Recreation; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult