how an individual perceives the world, which is closely
interlinked with feelings, and that in ﬂuence why participants
perceive what they do (34). These experiences necessitate that
sensorimotor changes in pwMS involve not only their biological
body but also their relational and self-individuating modes of
operating in the world, including how an experience coheres
with, for example, participants’ historical experiences (35). As we
primarily regulate such modes to achieve an optimal positive
mood state, this can also explain why only changes perceived as
positive appear to enhance participants ’ beliefs for the future
(36). Negative experiences such as failure to achieve high
intensity because the legs are not working in the last interval can
thus be perceived as detrimental by pwMS.
We argue that participants’ perceived bodily changes affected
their self-efﬁcacy for being physically active. Self-efﬁcacy involves
an individual’s perception of exerting control over his or her
own actions ( 37) and has been extensively reported to be
pertinent to PA engagement in pwMS (38, 39). However, self-
efﬁcacy is theoretically described according to social cognitive
theory (38). Our ﬁndings highlight how experiencing, expressing
and socially interacting through the body (embodied experiences)
shape individuals’ self-efﬁcacy and suggest a crucial role of bodily
perceptions in constituting self-efﬁcacy for PA.
4.2 Interactions and environment shape
meaning making
Participants perceived the group setting to increase motivation,
support, and commitment, which has been found in previously
published work (16, 31).
The physiotherapist-participant interaction is acknowledged in
exercise interventions for pwMS, pointing to professionals’ role in
informing participants of exercise beneﬁts in the management of
MS, including the prescribing mode, frequency, intensity, and
duration of exercise (40). Tailored interventions are supported
Dahl et al. 10.3389/fresc.2024.1303094
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