Physical activity among individuals with spinal cord injury who ambulate: a systematic scoping review

• Published in: Spinal cord Vol. 58; no. 7; pp. 735 - 745
• Main Authors: Lawrason, Sarah V. C., Todd, Kendra R., Shaw, Robert B., Martin Ginis, Kathleen A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01-07-2020; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 631/477/2811; 692/617/375/1824; 692/700/459/284; Anatomy; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Boredom; Coders; Correlation analysis; Exercise; Exercise - physiology; Human Physiology; Humans; Investigations; Leisure; Leisure Activities; Levels; Motivation; Neurochemistry; Neuropsychology; Neurosciences; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Physical training; Review Article; Reviews; Spinal cord injuries; Spinal Cord Injuries - physiopathology; Walking - physiology
• ISSN: 1362-4393; 1476-5624
• DOI: 10.1038/s41393-020-0460-4

Study design
Systematic scoping review.
Objectives
The purpose of this project was to conduct a scoping review to understand the amounts, types, correlates, and outcomes of physical activity (PA) participation for ambulators with SCI.
Methods
A systematic search was employed among five large databases and two theses/dissertation databases, yielding 3257 articles. Following a two-phase screening process by independent coders, 17 articles were included in the review. Data were charted and summarized, and correlates were coded using the COM-B model.
Results
11 studies were cross-sectional, 5 studies involved an exercise intervention, and 1 study used mixed methods. Overall, ambulators with SCI participated in low levels of PA. The type of PA investigated across all studies was leisure-time PA (e.g., sports, exercise). Psychological and physical capability (e.g., perceived behavioral control, fatigue), social and environmental opportunity (e.g., perceptions of disability, cost), and automatic and reflective motivation (e.g., boredom, intentions) were correlates of PA measured within studies. Exercise intervention studies measured physical (e.g., strength, fitness) and one psychological outcome (i.e., depression). No studies examined the quality of PA experiences.
Conclusions
Only leisure-time PA has been investigated among ambulators with SCI, and low levels of leisure-time PA have been reported. Correlates of leisure-time PA can be mapped onto all COM-B model constructs and are potential targets for PA-enhancing interventions. Further investigation is warranted into the physical and psychosocial outcomes across all types of LTPA in addition to understanding the quality of LTPA experiences.