Leisure-time physical activity and secondary conditions in women with physical disabilities

To examine the relationship between secondary conditions and leisure-time physical activity participation (LTPA) in women with physical disabilities.

A survey was conducted in a metropolitan urban USA area of women (n=170) with physical disabilities including MS, CP, polio, arthritis, TBI, and CVA among others and aged 21-65 years. Outcome measures were LTPA, secondary conditions (numbers and severity), and functional status.

Respondents experienced 11.99 (+/-6.05) secondary conditions in the past year, self-rated their severity as 'moderate problems', and reported moderate levels of functional impairment. LTPA participation (excluding calisthenics/exercise) was reported to be 2.90 (+/-5.12) times/week with 39.4% reporting no participation. After controlling for the interaction between severity of secondary conditions and functional status, the secondary conditions of physical deconditioning and isolation were significantly and inversely related to LTPA participation (r=-0.164, p=0.036; r=-0.156, p=0.045, respectively).

Reported secondary conditions of physical deconditioning and isolation are inversely related to the ability of moderately impaired women with physical disabilities to participate in LTPA when functional status was controlled and should be considered in efforts to increase involvement in this health promoting behaviour.