Mental health nursing and the promotion of physical activity

Evidence and recent policy initiatives support the promotion of physical activity and exercise within acute inpatient settings. Mental health nurses may perform an important role in encouraging physical activity and legitimizing its incorporation within care planning. This exploratory study aimed to investigate perceptions of the role of exercise and physical activity as a therapeutic strategy within inpatient settings. Given the exploratory nature of the study, a qualitative design using semistructured interviews was considered most appropriate. As part of a larger study regarding the promotion of physical activity within one United Kingdom (UK) Mental Health Trust, 12 mental health nurses were interviewed. All participants identified a need for increasing opportunities for physical activity on inpatient wards. Three interrelated themes emerged that related to how physical activity and exercise was conceptualized by the participants. First, exercise and physical activity was seen as a potentially beneficial distracting strategy rather than an adjunctive strategy in its own right. Secondly, exercise was considered as a lifestyle choice and an individual responsibility. Thirdly, a difficulty in articulating a possible relationship between the 'physical' and the 'mental' was predominant. The implications of these perceptions are discussed in relation to developing a greater profile for physical activity and exercise on acute wards.