[Physical activity and chronic diseases : how can motivational principles contribute to physically active behaviour...

Although physical activity is perceived as an effective therapeutic agent in the management of chronic diseases, the literature reports a low participation rate in adapted physical activity programmes and a high drop-out rate during participation. There is room for improvement in supporting the engagement of chronically ill patients in an active lifestyle, especially in optimising the process from medical management to integration into a local adapted sports structure. Based on the motivational principles of the self-determination theory, we propose courses of action to optimise the support of the chronically ill patient in the process of behavioural change. This article emphasises the importance of placing the individual at the centre of his or her physical care and the importance of taking into account individual characteristics in order to act on intrinsic motivation.