What promotes physical activity after spinal cord injury? An interview study from a patient perspective

Purpose. Physical activity in people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is of importance not only for maintaining health but also for increasing the possibilities of living an independent life. Physical inactivity leads to poorer muscular and cardiovascular conditioning and sub-optimal levels of functioning. To help people with SCI to achieve optimum physical activity, it is important to understand what promotes the incorporation of regular physical activity into daily life. The aim of this study was thus to identify factors that may promote participation in physical activity among people with spinal cord injuries. Method. Qualitative multiple case studies. Sixteen participants with SCI were interviewed. Result. Four main themes of promoting factors could be identified. They were: using cognitive and behavioural strategies; finding supporting environmental solutions; exploring motivation post injury; and capturing new frames of reference. Conclusion. By utilising the motivational power of role models, together with the other motivational factors identified in this study, such as identifying relevant individual motives post injury and capturing new frames of reference, the process towards physical active life may be facilitated.

[1]  D. Lammertse.  Maintaining Health Long-Term with Spinal Cord Injury , 2001 .

[2]  D. Patrick,et al.  'Finding a good thing': the use of quantitative and qualitative methods to evaluate an exercise class and promote exercise for adults with mobility impairments. , 1999, Disability and rehabilitation.

[3]  G. Heath,et al.  Physical activity among persons with disabilities--a public health perspective. , 1997, Exercise and sport sciences reviews.

[4]  J. Rimmer,et al.  Barriers to exercise in African American women with physical disabilities. , 2000, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[5]  Lois W. Sayrs.  Interviews : an introduction to qualitative research interviewing , 1996 .

[6]  P. Jacobs,et al.  Circuit training provides cardiorespiratory and strength benefits in persons with paraplegia. , 2001, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[7]  A. Hicks,et al.  Long-term exercise training in persons with spinal cord injury: effects on strength, arm ergometry performance and psychological well-being , 2003, Spinal Cord.

[8]  P. Manns,et al.  Determining the relation between quality of life, handicap, fitness, and physical activity for persons with spinal cord injury. , 1999, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[9]  R. Shephard,et al.  Relationship of impairment and functional ability to habitual activity and fitness following spinal cord injury , 1993, International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptation.

[10]  C. Coyle,et al.  Leisure Characteristics of Adults with Physical Disabilities , 1990 .

[11]  J. Rimmer,et al.  Research on physical activity and disability: an emerging national priority. , 1996, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[12]  F S Durán,et al.  Effects of an exercise program on the rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injury. , 2001, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[13]  B. Dugué,et al.  Interval training program on a wheelchair ergometer for paraplegic subjects , 2001, Spinal Cord.

[14]  P. Foreman,et al.  Association of Prelesion Sports Participation and Involvement in Wheelchair Sports following Spinal Cord Injury , 1996, Perceptual and motor skills.

[15]  I. Dyck,et al.  Individual and societal influences on participation in physical activity following spinal cord injury: a qualitative study. , 2004, Physical therapy.

[16]  K. Curtis,et al.  Shoulder pain in female wheelchair basketball players. , 1999, The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy.

[17]  M Yamasaki,et al.  The effect of frequency and mode of sports activity on the psychological status in tetraplegics and paraplegics , 2000, Spinal Cord.

[18]  P. Foreman,et al.  Sports participation in individuals with spinal cord injury: demographic and psychological correlates , 1997, International journal of rehabilitation research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Rehabilitationsforschung. Revue internationale de recherches de readaptation.

[19]  T. Williams,et al.  Factors influencing sport participation among athletes with spinal cord injury. , 2001, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[20]  C. Warms.  Health Promotion Services in Post‐Rehabilitation Spinal Cord Injury Health Care , 1987, Rehabilitation nursing : the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.

[21]  T. Williams,et al.  Sports injuries in athletes with disabilities: wheelchair racing , 1995, Paraplegia.

[22]  K. Curtis,et al.  Survey of wheelchair athletic injuries: common patterns and prevention , 1985, Paraplegia.

[23]  A J Dallmeijer,et al.  Physical performance during rehabilitation in persons with spinal cord injuries. , 1999, Medicine and science in sports and exercise.

[24]  K. Henderson,et al.  "I have a soul that dances like Tina Turner, but my body can't": physical activity and women with mobility impairments. , 1995, Research quarterly for exercise and sport.

[25]  D L Patrick,et al.  Correlates of exercise maintenance among people with mobility impairments. , 1999, Disability and rehabilitation.

[26]  A J Mendez,et al.  Circuit Resistance Training Improves The Atherogenic Lipid Profiles Of Persons With Chronic Paraplegia , 2001, The journal of spinal cord medicine.

[27]  W C Taylor,et al.  Physical activity interventions in low-income, ethnic minority, and populations with disability. , 1998, American journal of preventive medicine.

[28]  V. Nelson,et al.  Assessment of a Holistic Wellness Program for Persons with Spinal Cord Injury , 2003, American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation.

[29]  E. McAuley,et al.  The physical activity scale for individuals with physical disabilities: development and evaluation. , 2002, Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation.

[30]  Å. Seiger,et al.  The Stockholm Spinal Cord Injury Study. 3. Health-related issues of the Swedish annual level-of-living survey in SCI subjects and controls , 1995, Paraplegia.

[31]  C. Caspersen,et al.  Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. , 1985, Public health reports.

[32]  L. Guttmann.  On health deviation and rehabilitation in spinal paraplegia and tetraplegia , 1977, Paraplegia.

[33]  A. Hicks,et al.  Maintenance of exercise participation in individuals with spinal cord injury: effects on quality of life, stress and pain , 2003, Spinal Cord.

[34]  J Keul,et al.  Physical performance and cardiovascular and metabolic adaptation of elite female wheelchair basketball players in wheelchair ergometry and in competition. , 1998, American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation.