Leisure-time physical activity, anthropometrics, and body composition as predictors of quality of life domains after spinal cord injury: an exploratory cross-sectional study

Neural Regeneration Research, 2022 · DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.327356 · Published: June 1, 2022

Spinal Cord Injury Participation Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study explores how leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), body measurements, and body composition relate to the quality of life (QOL) in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). It aims to identify if these factors can predict different aspects of QOL after SCI. The research involved 36 individuals with SCI, assessing their physical activity levels, body size, and composition using questionnaires and DXA scans. The collected data was then analyzed to determine the relationships between these factors and different domains of QOL. The findings suggest that LTPA significantly influences QOL, with different types of activities affecting various aspects of well-being. Body composition, particularly fat distribution, also showed associations with social relationships QOL, implying that these factors play a role in the overall life quality of individuals with SCI.

Study Duration

2016 to 2020

Participants

36 community-dwelling persons with SCI

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

1
Engagement in LTPA accounted for a significant portion of the variance in physical health QOL, psychological QOL, social relationships QOL, and environmental QOL.
2
The number of minutes of heavy LTPA per day uniquely predicted physical health QOL, the number of mild LTPA days per week uniquely predicted psychological QOL, and the amount of mild LTPA per day uniquely predicted environmental QOL.
3
Android and trunk fat, as well as supine waist and abdominal circumferences, were positively associated with social relationships QOL.

Research Summary

This study investigated the relationships between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), anthropometric variables, body composition variables, and quality of life (QOL) domains in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The results indicated that LTPA accounted for a significant amount of variance in QOL domains, while anthropometric and body composition variables also showed associations with varying degrees. Specifically, different patterns of physical activity may affect specific but not all aspects of QOL. The study suggests that encouraging individuals with SCI to engage in LTPA can enhance multiple aspects of QOL and reduce the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic morbidities associated with SCI. Furthermore, body composition variables like android and trunk fat, as well as anthropometric variables, may contribute to social relationships QOL.

Practical Implications

Promote Physical Activity

Encourage individuals with SCI to engage in regular leisure-time physical activity to improve overall quality of life and reduce the risk of associated health complications.

Targeted Interventions

Tailor physical activity interventions to address specific QOL domains. For example, heavy-intensity LTPA may be more beneficial for physical health, while mild LTPA may enhance environmental and psychological well-being.

Address Body Composition

Consider body composition and anthropometric measures in interventions aimed at improving social relationships QOL in individuals with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
Small convenience sample of healthy individuals limits generalizability
2
Potential multicollinearity problem due to multiple regressions with a small sample size
3
Reliance on retrospective self-report for physical activity measures may introduce recall bias

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