Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Physical Activity in Italian People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study
Physical activity (PA) is a crucial tool for managing comorbidities and preventing secondary complications in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Despite its well-documented benefits, participation in PA among individuals with SCI remains low, with significant barriers affecting engagement...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Erika Pinelli Raffaele Zinno Maria Scoppolini Massini Ilaria Baroncini Francesca Serafino Laura Simoncini Giulio Senesi Salvatore Pinelli Laura Bragonzoni |
| author_facet | Erika Pinelli Raffaele Zinno Maria Scoppolini Massini Ilaria Baroncini Francesca Serafino Laura Simoncini Giulio Senesi Salvatore Pinelli Laura Bragonzoni |
| author_sort | Erika Pinelli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Physical activity (PA) is a crucial tool for managing comorbidities and preventing secondary complications in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Despite its well-documented benefits, participation in PA among individuals with SCI remains low, with significant barriers affecting engagement. The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes of Italian individuals with SCI towards PA and to identify the factors that influence these attitudes. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an ad hoc questionnaire to assess five domains of attitudes towards PA: physical benefits, psychological benefits, motivation, social aspects, and perceived barriers. Demographic characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine associations between domains. Group differences based on activity levels were assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test. A total of 54 participants (mean age 51.0 ± 13.89 years) completed the questionnaire. Among them, 49 acknowledged the physical benefits of physical activity for health, while 44 recognized its psychological benefits. However, 17 participants (31.5%) reported barriers related to accessibility, cost, and lack of adapted programs. Individuals with SCI demonstrate a predominantly positive attitude towards PA, but significant barriers limit their participation. Previous sports participation showed a promising contribution in shaping attitudes towards PA, particularly in the psychological, motivational, and social domains. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-62beec58550742aebc85deb34c5ee848 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-62beec58550742aebc85deb34c5ee8482025-08-20T03:46:38ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-011511594210.3390/app15115942Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Physical Activity in Italian People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Observational StudyErika Pinelli0Raffaele Zinno1Maria Scoppolini Massini2Ilaria Baroncini3Francesca Serafino4Laura Simoncini5Giulio Senesi6Salvatore Pinelli7Laura Bragonzoni8Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Corso D’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, ItalyDepartment for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Corso D’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, ItalyDepartment for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Corso D’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, ItalyMontecatone Rehabilitation Institute, Via Montecatone 37, 40026 Imola, ItalyMontecatone Rehabilitation Institute, Via Montecatone 37, 40026 Imola, ItalyMontecatone Rehabilitation Institute, Via Montecatone 37, 40026 Imola, ItalyDepartment for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Corso D’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, ItalyDepartment for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Corso D’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, ItalyDepartment for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, Corso D’Augusto 237, 47921 Rimini, ItalyPhysical activity (PA) is a crucial tool for managing comorbidities and preventing secondary complications in individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Despite its well-documented benefits, participation in PA among individuals with SCI remains low, with significant barriers affecting engagement. The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes of Italian individuals with SCI towards PA and to identify the factors that influence these attitudes. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using an ad hoc questionnaire to assess five domains of attitudes towards PA: physical benefits, psychological benefits, motivation, social aspects, and perceived barriers. Demographic characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Spearman’s correlation was used to examine associations between domains. Group differences based on activity levels were assessed using the Mann–Whitney U test. A total of 54 participants (mean age 51.0 ± 13.89 years) completed the questionnaire. Among them, 49 acknowledged the physical benefits of physical activity for health, while 44 recognized its psychological benefits. However, 17 participants (31.5%) reported barriers related to accessibility, cost, and lack of adapted programs. Individuals with SCI demonstrate a predominantly positive attitude towards PA, but significant barriers limit their participation. Previous sports participation showed a promising contribution in shaping attitudes towards PA, particularly in the psychological, motivational, and social domains.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5942physical exercisemotivational factorsbarriersfacilitators |
| spellingShingle | Erika Pinelli Raffaele Zinno Maria Scoppolini Massini Ilaria Baroncini Francesca Serafino Laura Simoncini Giulio Senesi Salvatore Pinelli Laura Bragonzoni Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Physical Activity in Italian People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study Applied Sciences physical exercise motivational factors barriers facilitators |
| title | Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Physical Activity in Italian People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study |
| title_full | Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Physical Activity in Italian People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study |
| title_fullStr | Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Physical Activity in Italian People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Physical Activity in Italian People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study |
| title_short | Attitudes and Perceptions Towards Physical Activity in Italian People with Spinal Cord Injury: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study |
| title_sort | attitudes and perceptions towards physical activity in italian people with spinal cord injury a cross sectional observational study |
| topic | physical exercise motivational factors barriers facilitators |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/5942 |
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