Perceptions of Exercise Among School-Aged Children With Asthma

This grounded theory–driven study explored the predominant categories and concepts involved with perceptions of exercise among school-aged children with asthma. Data came from 13 in-depth interviews with 10 children. Five boys and 5 girls, ages 8 to 12 years, with varying asthma disease severity, participated. In addition, 9 parents completed a health history questionnaire. The process of creating perceptions of exercise was the grounded theory that emerged from the data. The ongoing creation of perceptions of exercise was influenced by 4 predominant categories: perceived benefits, striving for normalcy, exercise influences, and asthma’s influence. Because process is an ongoing occurrence, the 4 predominant categories may influence the creation of exercise perceptions simultaneously, or at different times and in various ways dependent upon the characteristics of the child and his or her unique situations and experiences. Perceived benefits, striving for normalcy, exercise influences, and asthma’s influence were identified categories involved with the interactions, actions, and consequences interwoven throughout the creation of perceptions of exercise process. These categories help explain how exercise perceptions are developed from the participants’ perspective. The process of creating perceptions of exercise is a continuous, circular happening with the consequences leading to the development of exercise perceptions. The context may change but the overall process retains applicability to creating perceptions of exercise. The subjective insight gained through the development of this theory gives light to numerous areas for future nursing research and implications for practice to improve the overall quality of life among school-aged children with asthma.