Developing SCI-Specific Interventions

These activities focus on developing and testing theory and evidence-based interventions that (a) provide knowledge and (b) teach people with SCI the behavioural skills necessary to initiate and maintain PA participation.

Developing Evidence-Based Physical Activity Intervention Modules

Here we are developing a series of intervention modules that teach people behavioural skills and provide the information needed to start and maintain a physically active lifestyle.

Active Homes

This study involves a home visit by a personal trainer and a CPA peer where a home-based resistance training program is introduced to interested participants. Included in the program is a diagramed instruction manual and theraband. We want to determine whether home-visits are a feasible and effective way to promote and get people physically active. Currently, we are visiting people in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

Taking action to begin an exercise program: Motivational Interviewing

This study is looking at whether motivational interviewing strategies will encourage people with SCI to take action and begin an exercise program.

Increasing attitudes towards physical activity

By providing information about the numerous benefits of physical activity, we are testing whether people's thoughts and feelings about starting and maintaining a physically active lifestyle are bolstered.

Ramped Up

The focus of this study is to teach people the skills needed to continue an active lifestyle despite barriers that may make regular exercise more challenging. For example, how do you prevent a lapse in exercise and what barriers one may encounter?

Messages that Move

There are many risks to inactivity. We want to determine whether providing information about the health risks of inactivity can increase motivation to engage in physical activity.

Vignettes as a Knowledge Transfer Technique: Do they work?

We are examining whether reading vignettes about peers and exercise will help positively change people's attitudes towards physical activity.

Have a Go: Bolstering confidence through wheelchair sport sessions

People participated in a wheelchair sports session and we tested whether this had an impact on their self-confidence for doing wheelchair sports and their motivation for future participation in physical activities.

Get in Motion

This is an ongoing physical activity counseling service which provides Canadians with SCI a resource for gathering information on physical activity options in their community, knowledge about exercise participation, and support for initiating and maintaining a physically active lifestyle.

Do Physical Activity Fairs enhance PA levels?

We are always trying to find the best ways to provide meaningful information to people with SCI about the benefits of being active. In this case we used a physical activity fair.

Development of PA guidelines and guide for Canadians with SCI

There are various physical activity guides for able-bodied Canadians; we are in the process of developing a physical activity guide for Canadians who have a SCI.