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Published on: January 16, 2019
Incomplete spinal cord injury, exercise and life satisfaction
A M Lannem1, M Sørensen, K F Frøslie
1Department of Coaching and Psychology, The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway. anne.lannem@nih.no
Spinal Cord
|October 8, 2008
Summary
Regular physical exercise in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) is linked to higher life satisfaction and perceived fitness. However, it was also associated with lower perceived exercise mastery.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Exercise Science
- Psychology
Background:
- Life satisfaction is a key outcome for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).
- The influence of physical activity, exercise mastery, and fitness on life satisfaction in SCI populations requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between physical exercise, perceived exercise mastery, and fitness on life satisfaction in individuals with incomplete SCI.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey design was employed.
- Questionnaires assessing life satisfaction, physical exercise habits, and self-perceptions were mailed to participants with incomplete SCI.
- Data were collected from 69 respondents at Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital and the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences.
Main Results:
- Sixty-eight percent of participants engaged in regular physical activity (≥1 time/week).
- Regular exercisers reported significantly higher life satisfaction (P=0.002) and perceived fitness (P=0.004).
- Conversely, regular exercisers showed significantly lower perceived exercise mastery (P=0.012) compared to non-exercisers.
Conclusions:
- Regular physical activity in individuals with incomplete SCI is associated with enhanced life satisfaction and perceived fitness.
- Lower perceived exercise mastery was observed in regular exercisers, suggesting a complex interplay of psychological factors.
- Perceived exercise fitness emerged as a significant contributor to life satisfaction in this SCI sample.
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