Establishing evidence-based physical activity guidelines: methods for the Study of Health and Activity in People with Spinal Cord Injury (SHAPE SCI).
METHODS
Prospective, observational cohort study.


OBJECTIVE
This paper describes the rationale and methodology for the Study of Health and Activity in People with Spinal Cord Injury (SHAPE SCI). The study aims to (1) describe physical activity levels of people with different injury levels and completeness, (2) examine the relationship between physical activity, risk and/or presence of secondary health complications and risk of chronic disease, and (3) identify determinants of physical activity in the SCI population.


METHODS
Ontario, Canada.


METHODS
Seven hundred and twenty men and women who have incurred a traumatic SCI complete self-report measures of physical activity, physical activity determinants, secondary health problems and subjective well-being during a telephone interview. A representative subsample (n=81) participate in chronic disease risk factor testing for obesity, insulin resistance and coronary heart disease. Measures are taken at baseline, 6 and 18 months.


CONCLUSIONS
SHAPE SCI will provide much-needed epidemiological information on physical activity patterns, determinants and health in people with SCI. This information will provide a foundation for the establishment of evidence-based physical activity guidelines and interventions tailored to the SCI community.
Martin Ginis
K A
KA
Department of Kinesiology, Centre for Health Promotion and Rehabilitation, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. martink@mcmaster.ca
Latimer
A E
AE
Buchholz
A C
AC
Bray
S R
SR
Craven
B C
BC
Hayes
K C
KC
Hicks
A L
AL
McColl
M A
MA
Potter
P J
PJ
Smith
K
K
Wolfe
D L
DL
D015331:Cohort Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009864:Ontario; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*