Age Differences in Leisure Physical Activity by Adult Wheelchair Users

ABSTRACT

Background: Despite the need for engagement in occupations to enhance physical health and well-being, individuals with mobility limitations are less likely to participate in leisure-time physical activity. Purpose: This secondary analysis evaluated the correlation of intrinsic and extrinsic contextual factors to leisure-time physical occupations in individuals with mobility limitations. Methods: The study examined a sample of 123 noninstitutionalized wheelchair recipients; the participants were primarily white (62%), male (92%), and aged (mean age = 64.8, SD = 13). Findings: Separate multivariate models were developed for younger and older wheelchair users to explore how intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to hours of leisure-time physical activity. For individuals aged 26–64, education (β = −0.42) and unpaid personal assistance (β = −0.80) were significant in the model, and for individuals ≥ 65, living alone (β = −0.27) was significant. Implications: Unpaid personal assistance has important effects on engagement in leisure-time physical occupations; however, its significance varies across age groups.

KEYWORDS. :

• Mobility limitations
• leisure
• physical exercise
• informal caregiving