Individual and societal influences on participation in physical activity following spinal cord injury: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
Despite evidence that physical activity, a tool of rehabilitation, affects health and improves functional ability in people following spinal cord injury (SCI), such people are often physically inactive. We used a qualitative method to explore the experiences of individuals with SCI during participation in physical activity.


METHODS
The participants were 8 adults (5 male, 3 female), ranging from active to inactive, who were 2 to 27 years post-rehabilitation following SCI (paraplegic).


METHODS
We used semistructured ethnographic interviews to explore barriers and enablers to participation in physical activity following SCI. Emerging themes were derived from the participants' experiences.


RESULTS
Two themes were identified: (1) individual influences, defined as a period of loss of "able identity" and subsequent redefinition of self in which participation in physical activity may be a vehicle or an outcome, and (2) societal influences, which included environmental and attitudinal barriers.


CONCLUSIONS
The participants' experiences offer insight for therapists regarding physical activity following SCI.
Levins
Stephen M
SM
sslevins@cox.net
Redenbach
Darlene M
DM
Dyck
Isabel
I
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012933:Social Identification; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors; D014910:Wheelchairs