Abstract
Seasonal variation affects participation in leisure time physical activity (LTPA). Among people with spinal cord injury, extreme weather conditions present additional environmental barriers to LTPA. The objective of this study is to estimate the influence of season on the number of minutes people with SCI spend engaged in specific types of LTPA. Participants included 696 individuals (76% men, Mage=46.81±13.41, Myears-post-injury=15.19±11.10) with SCI interviewed about time spent in LTPA at two time points, which spanned two seasons. Between group differences for the baseline level of LTPA were assessed in a regression analysis. Season marginally predicted the total moderate/heavy intensity LTPA, ?=0.12, p=0.06. Season was a significant predictor of moderate/heavy intensity exercise, ?=0.14, p=0.03, but not sport, ?s=0.01, p=0.86. Individuals interviewed in the summer exercised more than those interviewed in the winter, even when controlling for age, sex, and injury status. Within person differences across seasons were assessed using a repeated-measures ANCOVA controlling for age, sex, and injury status. The main effect of season was significant for total LTPA, F(3,695)=3.00; p=0.03 and specifically exercise, F(3,695)=3.85; p=0.01, but not sport, F(3,695)=0.59; p=0.63. Participants exercised more in the summer than in the winter. Evidently, effort should be placed on promoting sport and providing support for exercise during winter months.
