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Perceptions and experiences of engagement and participation in physical activity among older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury

Fagher, Kristina LU ; Lexell, Jan LU and Jörgensen, Sophie LU orcid (2026) In Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 8.
Abstract
Background: Older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) are insufficiently physically active to reach health benefits. However, little is known about their perceptions of physical activity (PA) and barriers and facilitators to their PA engagement.

Objectives:
To explore perceptions and experiences of engagement and participation in PA among older adults aging with long-term SCI.

Methods:
We interviewed 74 men and women (56–88 years) from the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study (SASCIS) using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed with an inductive thematic analysis. Meaning units and codes were generated directly from the data without being... (More)
Background: Older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) are insufficiently physically active to reach health benefits. However, little is known about their perceptions of physical activity (PA) and barriers and facilitators to their PA engagement.

Objectives:
To explore perceptions and experiences of engagement and participation in PA among older adults aging with long-term SCI.

Methods:
We interviewed 74 men and women (56–88 years) from the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study (SASCIS) using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed with an inductive thematic analysis. Meaning units and codes were generated directly from the data without being influenced by pre-existing research frameworks. A latent approach was applied when forming themes, aiming to capture underlying assumptions and patterns.

Results:
Four different themes were revealed: “The multifaceted benefits of PA”, “PA comes in different forms; from incidental daily movement to formalized exercise”, “Restricted access: It is complex and difficult to be physically active” and “Unlocking potential: facilitators of PA”.

Conclusions:
This study highlights the essential role of PA in promoting well-being and independence for older adults aging with long-term SCI. Participants faced significant barriers, including accessibility, health-related challenges and lack of professional guidance, and emphasized facilitators such as the need for supervised training, social support and improved accessibility. Addressing these barriers and facilitators can create more inclusive opportunities for PA and exercise, ultimately supporting healthy, sustainable and active aging many years after SCI. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
volume
8
article number
1880498
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
ISSN
2624-9367
DOI
10.3389/fspor.2026.1880498
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5cc848b7-4849-4386-bf87-c30e57bf5c92
date added to LUP
2026-08-04 21:32:26
date last changed
2026-08-10 12:43:46
@article{5cc848b7-4849-4386-bf87-c30e57bf5c92,
  abstract     = {{Background: Older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury (SCI) are insufficiently physically active to reach health benefits. However, little is known about their perceptions of physical activity (PA) and barriers and facilitators to their PA engagement.<br/><br/>Objectives:<br/>To explore perceptions and experiences of engagement and participation in PA among older adults aging with long-term SCI.<br/><br/>Methods:<br/>We interviewed 74 men and women (56–88 years) from the Swedish Aging with Spinal Cord Injury Study (SASCIS) using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed with an inductive thematic analysis. Meaning units and codes were generated directly from the data without being influenced by pre-existing research frameworks. A latent approach was applied when forming themes, aiming to capture underlying assumptions and patterns.<br/><br/>Results:<br/>Four different themes were revealed: “The multifaceted benefits of PA”, “PA comes in different forms; from incidental daily movement to formalized exercise”, “Restricted access: It is complex and difficult to be physically active” and “Unlocking potential: facilitators of PA”.<br/><br/>Conclusions:<br/>This study highlights the essential role of PA in promoting well-being and independence for older adults aging with long-term SCI. Participants faced significant barriers, including accessibility, health-related challenges and lack of professional guidance, and emphasized facilitators such as the need for supervised training, social support and improved accessibility. Addressing these barriers and facilitators can create more inclusive opportunities for PA and exercise, ultimately supporting healthy, sustainable and active aging many years after SCI.}},
  author       = {{Fagher, Kristina and Lexell, Jan and Jörgensen, Sophie}},
  issn         = {{2624-9367}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Sports and Active Living}},
  title        = {{Perceptions and experiences of engagement and participation in physical activity among older adults aging with long-term spinal cord injury}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2026.1880498}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fspor.2026.1880498}},
  volume       = {{8}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}