Understanding barriers and motivators to exercise among people with spinal cord injury (SCI)

Objective: To understand what deters and what motivates people with SCI to exercise.

Methods: 30 adults with SCI were randomly selected from a nation-wide survey participant pool (15 self-identified “exercisers” and 15 “non-exercisers”) to partake in an in-depth semi-structured telephone interview. “Exercisers” reported details of their regimen (e.g. types of exercise, frequency), activity prior to SCI, reasons for being active and perceived health benefits, particularly regarding secondary conditions. “Non-exercisers” reported their exercise history, reasons for and barriers leading to not exercising, future intentions and perceived health risks from inactivity.

Results: “Exercisers” reported high levels of physical activity prior to injury as a main reason for being active post-injury. Additionally, “exercisers” mention good physical and mental health and keeping active as reasons for their physical activity. “Exercisers” listed good health, a desire to maximize their physical capability and personal life as motivators. Additionally, this group indicated a belief that exercise contributes to low level of secondary conditions, easing of depression and pain regulation. “Non-exercisers” were less likely to report pre-injury exercise, and attributed a lack of personal motivation and interest, being busy, and disability as reasons for not exercising. Those interested in potentially being active cited inaccessible gyms, transportation, lack of money for membership and lack of personal assistance as obstacles.

Conclusion: Pre-injury exercise routines help, in part, to predict post injury routines for individuals with SCI. Removal of physical barriers and a stronger emphasis and prescription of physical activity by clinicians can help motivate individuals to pursuit regular physical activity.