The perspectives of people with multiple disabilities on a co-production approach on physical activity

Background: Co-production is a promising approach to investigate the needs of people with disabilities in the context of physical activity. Besides guidelines on co-production in research, the primary focus of empirical findings so far has been on the perspectives of principal investigators, but not on people with disabilities and their perspectives.

Purpose: To examine the perspectives of people with multiple disabilities on a co-production approach on physical activity.

Methods: Six adults with intellectual and physical disability participated actively as co-researchers in a study on physical activity and health among people with intellectual disabilities (target population). To mutually define key aspects of the study (e.g., research questions, appropriate methods), six workshops were held with the co-researchers on the concepts of physical activity, important definitions, available guidelines, and aspects of measurement. Those workshops lead to the selection of tandem interviews with the target population. Co-researchers were then asked about their experiences in this co-production process using semi-structured guided interviews focusing on personal relevance of physical activity, their experience in co-researching and the collaboration in general.

Results: Co-researchers reported increases in knowledge on physical activity and health and mentioned critical points for the improvement of co-production. Especially the easy-to-read definitions of physical activity, sport and exercise as well as the associated practical examples were favoured by the co-researchers.

Conclusions: The perspectives of people with multiple disabilities on co-production in the field of physical activity research are important and, in addition, the group can benefit from actively participating in research.

Practical Implications: The findings could be helpful to empower people with disabilities and is valuable in research to better align studies with the needs and perspectives of the target population.

Funding: Ludwig Boltzmann Gesellschaft