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Participation in physical activity in persons with spinal cord injury: a comprehensive perspective and insights into gender differences

Participation in physical activity in persons with spinal cord injury: a comprehensive perspective and insights into gender differences
Participation in physical activity in persons with spinal cord injury: a comprehensive perspective and insights into gender differences
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.

physical activity, disability, spinal cord injury, genere differences, icf
1936-6574
165-176
Rauch, A,
8ef3544c-17e7-4f98-b002-b03a539439f5
Fekete, C.
71e0f9a4-5d39-48a3-adca-056949093fb0
Cieza, A.
a0df25c5-ee2c-4580-82b3-d0a75591580e
Geyh, S.
dc073a71-f2cc-40af-94a5-dd520b858e5b
Meyer, T.
8ac918a9-e659-4d8e-8ada-7c0b205b54e6
Rauch, A,
8ef3544c-17e7-4f98-b002-b03a539439f5
Fekete, C.
71e0f9a4-5d39-48a3-adca-056949093fb0
Cieza, A.
a0df25c5-ee2c-4580-82b3-d0a75591580e
Geyh, S.
dc073a71-f2cc-40af-94a5-dd520b858e5b
Meyer, T.
8ac918a9-e659-4d8e-8ada-7c0b205b54e6

Rauch, A,, Fekete, C., Cieza, A., Geyh, S. and Meyer, T. (2013) Participation in physical activity in persons with spinal cord injury: a comprehensive perspective and insights into gender differences. Disability and Health Journal, 6 (3), 165-176. (doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2013.01.006). (PMID:23769475)

Record type: Article

Abstract

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.

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More information

Published date: 2013
Keywords: physical activity, disability, spinal cord injury, genere differences, icf
Organisations: Psychology

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 358611
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/358611
ISSN: 1936-6574
PURE UUID: aa932475-cbab-4ed8-bc70-0485deff6c08

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Date deposited: 14 Oct 2013 09:31
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 15:06

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Contributors

Author: A, Rauch
Author: C. Fekete
Author: A. Cieza
Author: S. Geyh
Author: T. Meyer

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