Leisure time physical activity in a population-based sample of people with spinal cord injury part II: activity types, intensities, and durations.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the types, intensities, and average duration of leisure time physical activities (LTPAs) performed by people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional telephone survey.

SETTING

General community.

PARTICIPANTS

Men and women with SCI (N=347) who reported engaging in LTPA over the previous 3 days.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Mean minutes a day of LTPA performed at mild, moderate, and heavy intensities; proportion of respondents performing specific types of LTPA.

RESULTS

Participants reported a mean +/- SD of 55.15+/-59.05min/d of LTPA at a mild intensity or greater. Median LTPA was 33.33min/d. More activity was done at a moderate intensity (mean +/- SD, 25.49+/-42.11min/d) than mild (mean +/- SD, 19.14+/-37.77min/d) or heavy intensities (mean +/- SD, 10.52+/-22.17min/d). Most participants reported mild (54%) or moderate intensity LTPA (68%), while a minority reported heavy intensity LTPA (43%). The 3 most frequently reported types of LTPA were resistance training (33%), aerobic exercise (25%), and wheeling (24%). Craftsmanship (mean +/- SD, 83.79+/-96.00min/d) and sports activities (mean +/- SD, 60.86+/-59.76 min/d) were performed for the longest durations.

CONCLUSIONS

There is considerable variability in daily LTPA among active people with SCI and variability across different types of LTPA in terms of typical durations and intensities. This information can be used to help people with chronic SCI become more active by highlighting activities that meet individual abilities, needs, and desires.