Promoting Active Living Among People with Physical Disabilities. Evidence for Neighborhood-Level Buoys

Abstract

Background: People with physical disabilities are more likely to be sedentary than the general population, possibly because they have an accrued sensitivity to environmental features. Objectives: This paper describes the relationship between neighborhood-level active living buoys and the active living practices of adults with physical disabilities living in a large urban area. Methods: A sample of 205 people with physical disabilities was recruited via a local rehabilitation center and its adapted fitness center. Telephone interviews were administered by senior occupational therapy students. The interview included a modified version of the Physical Activity and Disability Survey, a validated instrument that includes questions on physical activity, active transportation, and other activities of daily living. Individuals were geocoded within their census tract of residence (n=114) using their postal codes. Data on neighborhood active living potential were gleaned from systematic social observation. Results: Multilevel logistic regression analyses showed that the association between the presence of environmental buoys and leisure activity was significant (OR=4.0, 95% CI=1.1-13.8) despite adjustments for individual difference variables while the association with active transportation became nonsignificant (OR=2.9, 95% CI=0.7-7.7) following adjustment for these variables. Conclusions: People with physical disabilities who live in neighborhoods with more environmental buoys are more likely to report involvement in leisure-time physical activity. © 2008 American Journal of Preventive Medicine.