Perceived barriers to exercise in people with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To identify barriers to physical fitness faced by individuals with spinal cord injury preventing them from participating in a physical fitness program.


METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, a survey of barriers to exercise was administered to 72 individuals with spinal cord injury.


RESULTS
Although 73.6% of the participants expressed an interest in an exercise program, less than half (45.8%) were currently active in an exercise program. Less than half (47.2%) reported that their physician had recommended an exercise program for them. The most frequently cited concerns about barriers to exercise fell into three areas: (1) intrapersonal or intrinsic (e.g., lack of motivation, lack of energy, lack of interest), (2) resources (e.g., cost of an exercise program, not knowing where to exercise), and (3) structural or architectural (e.g., accessibility of facilities and knowledgeable instructors). More individuals with tetraplegia reported concerns over exercise being too difficult and that health concerns kept them from exercising. Greater number of concerns was significantly related to higher levels of perceived stress.


CONCLUSIONS
People with spinal cord injury face multiple barriers to physical fitness in functional, psychological, and architectural domains. Identification of these barriers can facilitate the participation of individuals with spinal cord injury in an exercise program, improving long-term health and wellness.
Scelza
William M
WM
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108, USA.
Kalpakjian
Claire Z
CZ
Zemper
Eric D
ED
Tate
Denise G
DG
D000328:Adult; D001107:Architectural Accessibility; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010809:Physical Fitness; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013315:Stress, Psychological