Physical activity behaviour of community-dwelling persons with traumatic spinal cord injuries in Cape Town, South Africa
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Date
2024
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Background: A spinal cord injury is a devastating condition, associated with permanent disability and decreased life expectancy. Persons with spinal cord injuries (PwSCIs) often lead sedentary lifestyles, which set in motion a cascade of comorbidities linked to lifestyle behaviours. There is growing evidence indicating that decreasing sedentary behaviour and improving physical activity (PA) are connected to favourable rehabilitation outcomes namely health status and physical functioning. There is paucity of evidence to support this postulation in our setting. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess PA behaviour of traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) patients in Cape Town/Western Cape. Methods: A quantitative cross sectional design was employed in this study. The population consisted of community- dwelling adults with traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCIs). Only individuals who have lived in the community for at least one year following injury were recruited. Participants were sourced from the database (2016-2020) of Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town using a sample of convenience. A total of 403 adults with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) was retrieved from the database (2016-2020). From the 297 people who met the inclusion criteria, 76 participants were included in the study. A large proportion (n=214) could not be reached, 10 relocated to other areas and provinces in South Africa, and 2 declined to participate in the study.
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Keywords
Traumatic spinal cord injury, Persons with traumatic spinal cord injury, Physical activity, Sedentary physical activity, Light-intensity physical activity