Article

PURPOSE: To identify psychosocial factors which explain lower levels of leisure
time physical activity (LTPA) in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) who are
ambulatory relative to those who use manual wheelchairs. METHOD: For the
quantitative study component, 347 adults with SCI (78% male;
M age = 47.7)
completed baseline measures of LTPA attitudes, subjective norms, perceived
behavioural control and intentions. Six months later,
LTPA was assessed. The
qualitative component involved semi-structured interviews with six ambulant
adults with SCI (five male, M age = 52.8) addressing LTPA experiences with an
emphasis on barriers and facilitators. RESULTS: Ambulatory individuals had poorer
attitudes towards LTPA than chair users (p = 0.004). Their attitudes had
significant indirect effects on LTPA, through intentions. Perceived behavioural
control was a significant negative predictor of LTPA. Qualitative analysis
revealed three themes: an underestimated disability, low wheelchair skill
self-efficacy and experiencing chronic pain. CONCLUSIONS: Poorer attitudes
towards LTPA may partially explain why ambulatory individuals are less active.
The qualitative and quantitative data suggest ambulators are an often-overlooked
subgroup in need of targeted resources to enhance their attitudes, wheelchair
skill self-efficacy and awareness of LTPA opportunities. Implications for
Rehabilitation Rehabilitation practitioners must be sensitive to the unique needs
of spinal cord injured individuals who are ambulatory, and tailor physical
activity promotional strategies to suit the needs of this distinct group. Lack of
wheelchair skills is a participation barrier for ambulators; ambulators should be
introduced to activities that do not require wheelchair use, such as swimming,
hand-cycling and adapted forms of circuit training. Strategies that encourage
wheelchair skill development in non-wheelchair using ambulators, may increase
physical activity opportunities for this segment of the spinal injured
population.

Langue : ANGLAIS