The aim of the study was to explore the relationship between physical activity (PA) and fatigue within individuals diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease (CD). A purposive sample of five individuals diagnosed with CD participated within the study; which had received ethical approval from the University of Lincoln Ethics Committee. Each participant took part in one, online one-to-one interview which sought to explore past experiences of fatigue and PA habits within this population. All data collected through interviews was then analysed using thematic analysis (TA). Participants descriptions of fatigue presented similarities to fatigue presented within other chronic diseases, such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis; conditions that have identified PA as beneficial towards patient fatigue. A number of participant PA habits were identified throughout the study, providing insight to the PA behaviours within this population. Some participants identified using PA in attempt to tackle the feeling of aching joints and weakness, recognised symptoms of fatigue, however, fatigue was overwhelmingly associated as a barrier to PA within this population, presenting uncertainty to its relationship with fatigue. The results of this study demonstrate that a lack in clarity remains within research seeking to explore the relationship between PA and fatigue, therefore, additional research within this area recommended.
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