Health, Sport, and Physical Activity Among Adults with Arthritis

Arthritis is considered to be one of the leading causes of disability in adults, and engaging in physical activity and exercise is an important aspect of managing and treating the symptoms of this condition. This study examined how arthritis and related health factors influence adults’ participation in sports and physical activity. Specifically, we investigated how mental health conditions in the presence of arthritis influence adults’ involvement in physical activity and how these factors are associated with adults’ perceptions of sport facilitators, constraints, and constraint negotiations. Leveraging a larger national study on older adults’ sport participation, the current study consisted of 288 adults aged 50 and older self-reporting a diagnosis of arthritis. Findings suggest several differences based on self-reported mobility impairment and mental health status including differences in sport involvement during the past year; overall engagement in physical activity; and sport-related facilitators, constraints, and constraint negotiation strategies. The study suggests that encouraging involvement in sport with individuals who have arthritis in late adulthood may promote engagement in physical activity and better mental health. Other implications and recommendations for treatment and sport programming are also presented and discussed.