Leisure-Time Physical Activity Participation in Middle-Aged and Older Adults With a Spinal Cord Injury in Australia.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) are often sedentary, increasing their risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Leisure-time Physical Activity (LTPA) is physical activity completed during recreation time for enjoyment. We aimed to quantify LTPA in people ≥45 years with SCI and to explore its relationship with participants' characteristics. Methods: This is a secondary analysis on a subset of the Australian International SCI Survey in participants ≥45 years, at least 12 months post-injury. We described levels of LTPA and used multivariable regressions to estimate the associations between participant characteristics and LTPA. Results: Of 1,281 participants (mean age 62.7 years, mean time since injury 18.7 years; 74% males) 44% reported no participation in LTPA. The average LTPA participation was 197 (SD 352) minutes per week (median 50). Females (ß = -62.3, 95% CI [-112.9, -11.7]), and participants with non-traumatic injuries (ß = -105.2, 95% CI [-165.9, -44.6]) performed less LTPA. Time since injury was not associated with moderate-to-heavy LTPA (LR Probability > F = 0.785). Conclusion: LTPA promotion in the SCI population ≥45 years focusing on females and non-traumatic injuries is warranted.