Physical activity barriers identified by adults aging with spina bifida

BACKGROUND: With the high number of chronic conditions, the rising cost of healthcare, and low quality of life faced by adults aging with spina bifida (SB), health promotion programs (HPP) are needed to improve health. A national online survey was conducted to complete a physical activity (PA) HPP needs assessment of SB adults (18-60 y/o). The purpose of the study was to examine barriers in SB adults who report being regular exercisers compared to those who report not being regular exercisers. METHOD: Participants (n=299) completed an online survey. A logistical regression was conducted to compare barriers for regular exercisers (participants in stages 4-5 of the stage of change (SOC)) versus not regular exercisers (stages 1-3 of SOC). RESULTS: 61% (n=173) of SB adults were not regular exercisers and 39% (n=109) were regular exercisers. Regular exercisers were 60% less likely to report cost as a barrier (odds ratio (OR): 0.40; 95% CI 0.18, 0.89), 75% less likely to report being lazy (OR: 0.25; 95% CI 0.08, 0.73), and 75% less likely to report a lack of interest in exercise (OR: 0.25; 95% CI 0.065, 0.97) than SB adults who are not regular exercisers after controlling for age, sex, marital status, income, and BMI. Females were 57% less likely to be regular exercisers compared to males with SB (OR: 0.43; CI 0.20, 0.92) CONCLUSION: It is important to understand the PA barriers of adults with SB in order to develop tailored PA HPPs to improve health outcomes in this aging subpopulation.