Most Americans don't get sufficient exercise, but the problem is worse among those with spinal cord injuries. A new study highlights the physical and mental barriers that block the path to fitness, with suggestions for health promotion.

A University of Michigan team of researchers led by William Scelza, M.D. and Denise Tate, Ph.D., have researched some of these barriers and presented their data at the recent annual meeting of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Orlando, Fla.

The study's survey results, from participants' responses on a standard Barriers to Physical Exercise and Disability questionnaire, show that 73.6 percent of persons with spinal cord injury wanted to exercise but only 45.8 percent currently do exercise. Forty-seven percent had been encouraged to exercise by their physicians, and nearly 60 percent identified "lack of motivation" as a barrier between them and fitness. There were no significant differences between persons with spinal cord injuries of different severity.

For more information on the UMHS Model Spinal Cord Injury Care System, telephone 734-763-0971, visit http://www.ncpad.org/672/2892/2002-12-01, or e-mail model_sci@umich.edu