The effects of physical activity on the health status of individuals with disabilities

Purpose: To determine if a difference in health status exists between the population of individuals with a disability and the population of individuals without a disability. And to examine the effects of physical activity on the health status of individuals with and without disabilities. Methods: This study was completed using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a national health survey conducted by the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (CDC). The total number of individuals from the BRFSS that were analyzed within this study is 430,912 participants. Data were analyzed and compared along criteria set within the purpose of the research study. Results: Prior to running statistics, participants were divided based on their response to the following question from Section 14: Are you limited in any way in any activities because of physical, mental, or emotional problems? All correlations calculated using chi-squared were significant (P < 0.05). Results are considered significant not only by statistical calculations but also by deductive reasoning by the researcher. Conclusion: The major findings from this research project show a disparity in health status between individuals with and individuals without a disability. Overall, individuals with a disability appear to be less healthy than individuals without a disability. This difference was found in the two main areas of this study that examined health status: general health and healthy days. Despite these differences, the results supported the hypothesis that physical activity would positively influence health status for both populations.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community Health

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2010

Author dc:creator

• Galli, Jessica M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Farner, Susan M.

• Disability
• physical activity
• health status

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2010 Jessica M. Galli

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/16206

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/16206