Determinants of physical activity participation following traumatic brain injury

Aims: The objective of the study described in this article was to establish the environmental, social, or personal determinants associated with physical activity participation in people with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: A multi-centre cross-sectional questionnaire survey using a convenience sample was used at eight community day centres for brain injured populations. The participants were 63 individuals with traumatic brain injury (51 male, 12 female). Physical activity participation was based on the proportion of participants achieving the level of physical activity recommended for health (30 mins moderate activity, most days of the week). Standardized measures were used to assess activities of daily living (Extended Activities of Daily Living Scale), self-efficacy (Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale), social support (Social Support for Exercise Scale) and mood (General Health Questionnaire-12). Findings: Over half the participants were not active enough for health benefit. Active participants were more independent in activities of daily living (t = -2.21, P < 0.05), had greater self-efficacy for exercise (t = -3.02, P < 0.05) and were more educated (chi(2)= 5.61, P < 0.05) than inactive participants. Logistic Regression showed self-efficacy for exercise to be the only significant predictor of physical activity participation (beta = 0.32, OR 1.03, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Self-efficacy predicted physical activity participation. Efforts to increase self-efficacy among brain injured participants may encourage activity participation in those who are able and this warrants further investigation.