Perceptions of High-Intensity Interval Training Among People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

Joseph Peters, Kellie Halloran, Alexander Teague, Emily Erlenbach, Libak Abou, Mariana Kersh, Ian Rice

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This mixed-method project investigated how people with spinal cord injury perceive high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Using a recumbent hand cycle, 11 active men and 9 active women with spinal cord injury or related disease participated in a single HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) session. Following exercise, participants completed surveys assessing enjoy-ment, self-efficacy, and outcome expectations. Ten participants were randomly selected to participate in a semistructured interview to assess perceptions toward HIIT. Quantitative survey data revealed that participants trended toward enjoying HIIT over MICT (p =.06) with similar levels of self-efficacy and outcome expectations toward HIIT and MICT (p >.05). Qualitative data revealed that participants believed HIIT would enhance long-term physical and self-evaluative outcomes; several barriers emerged that could prevent wide-spread adoption among the general population with spinal cord injury. Results support HIIT as a viable exercise option, although research should begin exploring ways to remove HIIT-related barriers that people with spinal cord injury may encounter.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)153-175
Number of pages23
JournalAdapted Physical Activity Quarterly
Volume41
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2024

Keywords

  • enjoyment
  • exercise adherence
  • hand cycle
  • upper-body

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

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