Abstract
Regular physical activity for people with SCI has been related to numerous benefits, but half of this population remains inactive (Martin Ginis et al., 2010). The SCI community has expressed the desire for useful and accessible physical activity information (Boyd & Bardak, 2004).It has been suggested that Canada's Physical Activity Guide for Adults Living with SCI (CPAG-SCI) be created (Martin Ginis & Hicks, 2007).As a phase of a SCI Action Canada initiative, the purpose of this study was to determine what people with SCI want in CPAG-SCI and why. Seventy-eight adults with SCI (Mage=45.06) completed a survey, choosing preferred content items and formatting options. Items were compiled based on the current CPAG, social-cognitive theories and focus-group feedback. The majority of items listed were preferred by at least 85% of the sample, with the least preferred item preferred by 67%. Of the items preferred by paraplegics, items that increased knowledge were considered most important (chi2=4.34,p<.05), while tetraplegics did not consider any type of preferred item more important. CPAG-SCI as a booklet or interactive website was preferred (both 43.6%) and text with pictures (83.3%), photographs (57.7%), bright colours (48.7%), simple messages (61.5%) and a pull-out calendar (70.5%). These results will be used in creating CPAG-SCI with the goal of tailoring the guide to the specialized needs of the SCI population, in order to successfully encourage physical activity participation.
