From physically active to physically inactive: Understanding the experiences of a familial carer's loss of self

Levels of physical activity (PA) for carers are lower than non-carers (Carers UK, 2022). Literature indicates that these levels are lower than carers would like (Carers UK, 2019) and are due to participation barriers such as guilt, lack of time and fatigue (Horne et al., 2021). According to Horne et al. (2021), a greater understanding of these barriers is needed, as PA interventions for carers can offer important health benefits (e.g., Danucalov et al., 2015).

This chapter presents a unique and insider perspective of these barriers to PA by offering an insight into how the caring role impacted on the social and physically active identity of a carer, who had previously enjoyed a positive relationship with PA. The carer in this research was the participant, co-researcher and second author, allowing for a reflective co-constructed analysis of his caring experiences.