[Physical inactivity of adults with functional disabilities and diseases]

This article describes physical inactivity among adults in Nord-Trøndelag who suffer from or have suffered from heart infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, impaired motor ability, impaired vision, impaired hearing or impairment because of psychological complications. Information was collected by questionnaire during the Nord-Trøndelag Health Survey 1984-86. Younger men and younger women with previous heart infarction reported less inactivity than persons with no history of infarction. In contrast, young men and women suffering from impaired hearing were more inactive than people not suffering from impaired hearing. Among the disabled or sick, more women reported physical inactivity than men. This also held good when the results were controlled for age. Among healthy persons, the highest share of physically inactive was found in the oldest age groups, regardless of gender. This survey indicates that, to some degree, physical activity has become an accepted means of improving health after heart infarction in younger men and women. Physical activity has unexploited potential as a means of treating other disabilities and illness.