Baseline Comparison of Exercisers and Nonexercisers With Spinal Cord Injury Enrolled in a Group Tele-Exercise Program

Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil, 2023 · DOI: 10.46292/sci23-00027 · Published: October 1, 2023

Neurorehabilitation Rehabilitation Telehealth & Digital Health

Simple Explanation

This study explores the differences between people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who exercise regularly and those who don't. It looks at factors like how long they've had the injury, their confidence in their ability to exercise, and their activity levels. The study found that non-exercisers had longer injury durations and lower confidence in their ability to exercise compared to those who exercised regularly. These factors are important to consider when designing exercise programs for people with SCI. By understanding these differences, researchers and healthcare providers can create more effective and tailored exercise programs to help people with SCI become more active and improve their health.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

27 adult volunteers with SCI (exercisers = 14, nonexercisers = 13)

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional analysis

Key Findings

1
Exercisers demonstrated significantly shorter duration of injury compared to nonexercisers.
2
Exercisers exhibited significantly higher exercise self-efficacy compared to nonexercisers.
3
Exercisers reported increased weekly minutes in vigorous intensity leisure time physical activity compared to nonexercisers.

Research Summary

This cross-sectional study compared exercisers and nonexercisers with SCI enrolled in a tele-exercise program to evaluate demographic, psychosocial, and physical characteristics. The results indicated that nonexercisers with SCI had increased injury duration and reduced exercise self-efficacy compared to their active peers. The study emphasizes that addressing these factors in SCI-specific physical activity interventions is crucial to promote this critical health behavior over time.

Practical Implications

Tailored Interventions

Exercise programs for individuals with SCI should be designed to address factors like injury duration and self-efficacy.

Increase Self-Efficacy

Interventions should focus on improving self-efficacy to promote physical activity behavior, especially among nonexercisers.

Promote Early Activity

Highlight the importance of physical activity opportunities and education across the lifetime for individuals with chronic SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Variability and overestimation of behavior are common issues with physical activity self-report measures
2
The sample demonstrated high socioeconomic and educational status, which does not represent the national distribution of the SCI population.
3
Participants who volunteered for this study may have a positive bias toward exercise and physical activity behavior.

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