The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity and Social Isolation among Adults with Physical Disabilities Living in Canada and The Netherlands

Kim Meijer, Trynke Hoekstra, Pim Brandenbarg, Femke Hoekstra, COVID-19 Disability Survey Group, ReSpAct 2.0 Group, Florentina Hettinga

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among people with physical disabilities might differ between countries due to differences in implemented measures and infection rates. This study aimed to understand the impact of the pandemic on physical activity (PA) and social isolation among adults with physical disabilities in Canada and the Netherlands, and examine associations between PA and social isolation. Methods: Secondary data from two studies were used: the Canadian COVID-19 Disability Survey (n = 353) and the Dutch Rehabilitation, Sports and Active lifestyle (ReSpAct) 2.0 study (n = 445). Self-reported PA was measured using IPAQ-SF and Adapted-SQUASH. Social isolation was measured using the PROMIS Social Isolation. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed. Results: Canadian participants spent on average 163 min (Median = 0; IQR = 120) on moderate-to-vigorous PA per week and Dutch participants 934 min (Median = 600; IQR = 1125). In Canada, 64% reported to have become less physically active since the pandemic compared to 37% of Dutch participants. In both samples, no clinically relevant associations were found between PA and social isolation. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the negative impact of the pandemic on PA and social isolation in adults with physical disabilities in Canada and the Netherlands. Future research is needed to better understand if and how PA can be used to reduce social isolation in people with disabilities. This study illustrates how cross-country collaborations and exchange provide opportunities to inspire and learn from initiatives and programs in other countries and may help to improve PA support among people with disabilities during and after the pandemic.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)778-794
Number of pages17
JournalDisabilities
Volume2
Issue number4
Early online date14 Dec 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2022

Bibliographical note

This article belongs to the Special Issue Disability and COVID-19.

Funding

The ReSpAct study was funded by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports (grant no. 319758), Stichting Beatrixoord Noord-Nederland (ReSpAct 2.0; grant date 19 February 2018) and supported by the Knowledge Center of Sport Netherlands and Stichting Special Heroes Nederland (before January 2016: Stichting Onbeperkt Sportief). F.H. is supported by the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (#719049) and Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR) Trainee Award (#RT-2020-0489).

FundersFunder number
Knowledge Center of Sport Netherlands and Stichting Special Heroes Nederland
Stichting Onbeperkt Sportief
Craig H. Neilsen Foundation719049
Craig H. Neilsen Foundation
Stichting Beatrixoord Noord-Nederland
Michael Smith Health Research BC-2020-0489
Michael Smith Health Research BC
Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport319758
Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport

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