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Lawrason, Sarah Victoria Clewes

University of British Columbia

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who walk participate in low levels of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) due to barriers to quality LTPA experiences. Quality LTPA experiences are important as they confer several benefits such as improved well-being. Behavioural interventions that support quantity and quality of LTPA participation are lacking for ambulators with SCI. To support LTPA behaviour, theory-informed, partnered interventions are needed. The purpose of this dissertation was to conduct a series of studies that will aid in understanding and improving the quantity and quality of LTPA participation among individuals with SCI who walk. First, a scoping review was conducted to understand the amounts, types, correlates, and outcomes of physical activity participation for ambulators with SCI. Second, a cross-sectional study, informed by behaviour change theory, was conducted to identify factors related to LTPA participation in individuals with SCI who ambulate. Third, a qualitative study consisting of interviews with ambulators with SCI was conducted to explore the conditions and elements involved in positive and negative quality LTPA experiences. Fourth, using the findings from the first three studies, an LTPA-enhancing mHealth intervention was designed (SCI Step Together). Fifth, an 8-week randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the feasibility, acceptability, engagement, and preliminary efficacy of the SCI Step Together program. The results of this programmatic, theory-informed series of studies contribute substantively to knowledge regarding LTPA in a sub-population that has been largely ignored. This dissertation revealed that among ambulators with SCI, LTPA levels are generally low and there are few interventions that support their quality LTPA participation. The studies found that factors that contribute to the quantity and quality of LTPA can be mapped onto existing behaviour change and quality participation frameworks. Conditions that influence elements of quality participation are valuable for designing behavioural interventions, like the SCI Step Together program. The SCI Step Together program demonstrated good feasibility, acceptability, engagement, and preliminary efficacy for some psychosocial variables (e.g., basic psychological needs). Overall, researchers and programmers are strongly encouraged to continue to study and develop resources in partnership with ambulators with SCI to encourage quality participation in LTPA.

Text

2022-07-04

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/81883

Kinesiology

University of British Columbia

UBCO

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/