Exploration of country-specific barriers and facilitators for the implementation of physical activity according to the EULAR physical activity recommendations for people with rheumatic musculoskeletal diseases in four different European countries: the COPA project


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ÖZTÜRK Ö., Ueckert D., van Bodegom-Vos L., van Weely S., FEYZİOĞLU Ö., Niedermann K., ...Daha Fazla

Clinical Rheumatology, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s10067-026-07984-5
  • Dergi Adı: Clinical Rheumatology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Barrier, Facilitator, Implementation, Inflammatory arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Physical activity
  • Acıbadem Mehmet Ali Aydınlar Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objectives: Promotion of physical activity (PA) in individuals with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) is essential for disease management, yet evidence on social, environmental, and system-level determinants remains limited. This study aimed to quantify the prevalence of these determinants and compare them across four European nations. Method: A cross-country survey was developed based on a scoping review and semi-structured stakeholder interviews. The survey comprised 27 items across social, environmental, and system domains. Participants rated each item as a facilitator, barrier, or neutral, using a scale from − 10 (barrier) to + 10 (facilitator). Responses were analyzed to assess cross-country differences in demographic characteristics, PA behavior, and determinant ratings. Results: A total of 734 individuals with RMDs participated (41.1% RA, 40.7% axSpA, and 18.1% OA) from France (30.5%), Switzerland (34.4%), the Netherlands (17.3%), and Turkey (17.7%). Significant between-country differences were identified in PA behaviors and demographics (p < 0.05). Overall determinant scores did not differ significantly (p = 0.101). Key facilitators varied across countries: “knowledge and fitness to perform exercises” was prominent in Switzerland; “scheduled exercises” in the Netherlands and France; and “health professionals” in France and Turkey. Common barriers included “weather conditions”—particularly in Turkey and the Netherlands—“costs of memberships or sport facilities,” especially in France, and work-related duties in Turkey and the Netherlands. Conclusions: Despite comparable overall scores, the relevance of social, environmental, and system-level determinants of PA varied across countries These findings highlight the importance of country-specific contextual factors for understanding PA participation and for designing tailored, effective PA promotion strategies in people with RMDs.