BACKGROUND: To prevent secondary conditions and to improve and maintain health, regular physical activity is recommended as an important component of a health-promoting lifestyle for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, participation in physical activity is low in persons with SCI, especially in women. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify (1) categories of functioning, the environment and personal factors that influence participation in physical activity in persons with SCI and (2) gender differences within identified factors. METHODS: An explorative qualitative study design using both focus groups and individual interviews based on a semi-structured interview guide was used. Statements were linked to categories or chapters of the four components of functioning (body structures, body functions, activities and participation) and of the environment included in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and a recently developed list of personal factors. An in-depth analysis of the statements was performed to identify relevant associations and gender differences. RESULTS: Twenty-six persons (13 female, 13 male) participated in the study. Sixty-seven categories and four chapters from all components of functioning and environmental factors included in the ICF and 33 subdivisions of personal factors were found to be associated with physical activity in persons with SCI. Gender differences could be assigned to areas of gender roles, social support, athletic identity, interests, and general behavioral patterns. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of participation in physical activity in persons with SCI and presents a first step toward the identification of gender differences. The results should be validated by further quantitative research.
BACKGROUND: To prevent secondary conditions and to improve and maintain health, regular physical activity is recommended as an important component of a health-promoting lifestyle for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, participation in physical activity is low in persons with SCI, especially in women. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to identify (1) categories of functioning, the environment and personal factors that influence participation in physical activity in persons with SCI and (2) gender differences within identified factors. METHODS: An explorative qualitative study design using both focus groups and individual interviews based on a semi-structured interview guide was used. Statements were linked to categories or chapters of the four components of functioning (body structures, body functions, activities and participation) and of the environment included in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and a recently developed list of personal factors. An in-depth analysis of the statements was performed to identify relevant associations and gender differences. RESULTS: Twenty-six persons (13 female, 13 male) participated in the study. Sixty-seven categories and four chapters from all components of functioning and environmental factors included in the ICF and 33 subdivisions of personal factors were found to be associated with physical activity in persons with SCI. Gender differences could be assigned to areas of gender roles, social support, athletic identity, interests, and general behavioral patterns. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of participation in physical activity in persons with SCI and presents a first step toward the identification of gender differences. The results should be validated by further quantitative research.
Authors: Ewa Szeliga; Agnieszka Brzozowska-Magoń; Renata Borys; Andżelina Wolan-Nieroda; Katarzyna Walicka-Cupryś Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-04 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Renee Pekmezaris; Andrzej Kozikowski; Briana Pascarelli; John P Handrakis; Ashley Chory; Doug Griffin; Ona Bloom Journal: Spinal Cord Ser Cases Date: 2019-05-16