Physical activity has been shown to effectively aid multiple sclerosis symptom management; however, individuals with multiple sclerosis tend to be inactive physically. Developing effective, sustainable, physical activity interventions involves first understanding motivators for physical activity. Open-ended surveys exploring physical activity motivators were collected from 215 individuals with multiple sclerosis. Responses indicate that self-efficacy and internalized motivation derived from physical activity outcomes were motivators for physical activity, and physical activity was cited as increasing overall quality of life. Future physical activity interventions should incorporate methods for building self-efficacy for physical activity and focus on increasing awareness of the long-term physical benefits derived from physical activity.
AdamsSA (2005) The effect of social desirability and social approval on self-reports of physical activity. American Journal of Epidemiology161(4): 389–398.
2.
AhrensNR (2005) Using the internet to conduct research. Nurse Researcher13(2): 55–71.
3.
BanduraA (2004) Health promotion by social cognitive means. Health Education & Behavior31: 143–164.
4.
BanduraAAdamsNEBeyerJ (1977) Cognitive processes mediating behavioral change. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology35: 125–139.
5.
CoylePKHamondM (2006) Multiple sclerosis. In: CoylePKHamondM (eds) Neurologic Diseases in Women. New York: Demos Medical Publishing, pp. 265–287.
6.
CreswellJW (2013) Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design (3rd edn). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
7.
CronkBCWestJL (2002) Personality research on the internet: A comparison of web-based and traditional instruments in take-home and in-class settings. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers34(2): 177–180.
8.
DeciELRyanRM (1985) Intrinsic Motivation and Self-determination in Human Behavior. New York: Plenum Publishing.
9.
DeciELRyanRM (eds) (2004) Handbook of Self-determination Research (softcover edn). Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press.
10.
GillDLChangY-KMurphyKM, et al. (2011) Quality of life assessment for physical activity and health promotion. Applied Research in Quality of Life6(2): 181–200.
11.
GodinGShephardRJ (1985) A simple method to assess exercise behavior in the community. Canadian Journal of Applied Sport Sciences10(3): 141–146.
12.
HoholMJOravEJWeinerHL (1995) Disease steps in multiple sclerosis: A simple approach to evaluate disease progression. Neurology42(2): 251–255.
13.
HoholMJOravEJWeinerHL (1999) Disease steps in multiple sclerosis: A longitudinal study comparing disease steps and EDSS to evaluate disease progression. Multiple Sclerosis5(5): 349–354.
KlarenREMotlRWDlugonskiD, et al. (2013) Objectively quantified physical activity in persons with multiple sclerosis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation94(12): 2342–2348.
16.
KuttzkeJF (1983) Rating neurologic impairment in multiple sclerosis: An expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Neurology33(11): 1444–1452.
17.
Latimer-CheungAEMartin GinisKAHicksAL, et al. (2013) Development of evidence-informed physical activity guidelines for adults with multiple sclerosis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation94(9): 1829–1836.
18.
MotlRWGosneyJL (2008) Effect of exercise training on quality of life in multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis. Multiple Sclerosis14(1): 129–135.
19.
MotlRWMcAuleyE (2010) Symptom cluster and quality of life: Preliminary evidence in multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing42(4): 212–216.
20.
MotlRWPiluttiL (2012) The benefits of exercise training in multiple sclerosis. Nature Reviews. Neurology. 8: 487–497.
21.
MotlRWSnookEM (2008) Physical activity, self-efficacy, and quality of life in multiple sclerosis. Annals of Behavioral Medicine: A Publication of the Society of Behavioral Medicine35(1): 111–115.
22.
MotlRWMcAuleyESnookEM (2005) Physical activity and multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis. Multiple Sclerosis11(4): 459–463.
National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) (2005) Multiple Sclerosis Information Sourcebook. New York: Information Resource Center; Library of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
25.
PatrickHCanevelloA (2011) Methodological overview of a self-determination theory-based computerized intervention to promote leisure-time physical activity. Psychology of Sport and Exercise12(1): 13–19.
26.
PetajanJHGappmaierEWhiteAT, et al. (1996) Impact of aerobic training on fitness and quality of life in multiple sclerosis. Annals of Neurology39(4): 432–441.
27.
RhodesSDBowieDAHergenratherKC (2003) Collecting behavioural data using the world wide web: Considerations for researchers. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health57(1): 68–73.
28.
RosterCARogersRDAlbaumG, et al. (2004) A comparison of response characteristics from web and telephone surveys. International Journal of Market Research46(3): 359–373.
29.
SnookEMMotlRW (2009) Effect of exercise training on walking mobility in multiple sclerosis: A meta-analysis. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair23(2): 108–116.
30.
StuifbergenAKBlozisSHarrisonTC, et al. (2006) Exercise, functional limitations, and quality of life: A longitudinal study of persons with multiple sclerosis. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation87(7): 935–943.
31.
SutherlandGAndersenMBStoovéMA (2001) Can aerobic exercise training affect health-related quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis?Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology23(2): 122–135.
32.
SweetSNFortierMSStrachanSM, et al. (2012) Testing and integrating self-determination theory and self-efficacy theory in a physical activity context. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne53(4): 319–327.
33.
WardPClarkTZabriskieR, et al. (2014) Paper/pencil versus online data collection. Journal of Leisure Research46(1): 84–96.
34.
YoungMDPlotnikoffRCCollinsCE, et al. (2014) Social cognitive theory and physical activity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews15(12): 983–995.
