Living a physically active lifestyle reduces the risk of getting numerous diseases, such as diabetes and cancer, and extends lifespan. However, disabled people have been largely excluded from physical activity research to date. This means we know little about how active disabled people need to be to benefit their health. We know that the body’s response to activity may differ in people with a disability or chronic disease compared to non-disabled people, so it is essential to conduct dedicated research in this population. The World Health Organization has called for more research to understand the health benefits of physical activity in disabled people, and disabled people themselves have expressed interest in understanding more about the health benefits of physical activity.
Our project will examine whether, and by how much, being physically active reduces risk of death over time in disabled people. We will examine the link between physical activity and risk of death for all people identified as having a disability and explore whether this link differs for people with different types of disability.
Our project will use data from UK Biobank, the country’s biggest study of health and well-being in middle-aged adults. Participants completed a wide range of tests and questionnaires, providing information about whether they had a long-term condition, the functioning of their senses, and ability to carry out daily tasks, amongst other things. This information will be used to identify people with a disability and different types of disability (e.g. serious vision or hearing impairment). Information on physical activity level is provided by an activity monitor (accelerometer), which was worn for one week between 2013 and 2015. Biobank is linked to National Health Service records, providing information about any medical conditions that participants have and whether they have died since their physical activity was measured.
We will share our findings with other scientists, public health workers and policymakers. Our project will provide important new evidence on the health benefits of physical activity in disabled people, which can be used to inform future national and global guidelines.
