Experiences of physical activity for individuals with spinal cord injury: A meta-study

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to critically examine the qualitative research on experiences of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Meta-study methodology was used as a diagnostic tool to assess the theory, methods and findings of the current literature contributing to the literature by considering both the process and product of this body of research. This meta-study therefore provides a fresh perspective on research in this field. Methods: A comprehensive search of 6 sport and exercise electronic databases and manual journal searches yielded an initial total of 675 peer reviewed articles once duplicates were removed, reduced to 57 papers read in full after analysis of titles and key words. Of these 57 papers, 25 papers were identified as suitable for full based on the inclusion criteria. Studies were reviewed using meta-study methods, comprising analysis of theoretical perspectives, methodologies and findings. Results: Research guided by occupational theory is common in this field, and has contributed by identification of numerous barriers, benefits and facilitators of LTPA for individuals with SCI. More recently, narrative inquiry has revealed health narratives that are associated with SCI, narratives existing in the LTPA environment (chaos, restitution and quest) and exercise narratives restitution, exercise is medicine and exercise is progressive redemption. Conclusion: Theoretical and methodological opportunities were identified for future research that suggest a need for greater attention to be paid to the structural and contextual conditions that shape and influence the physical activity experience.