Applying an Integrated Knowledge Translation partnership approach during a remote sport program for aging individuals with spinal cord injury: a descriptive qualitative study

People living with spinal cord injury (SCI) encounter many challenges to sport participation, especially as they age. This study sought to explore the perceptions of participants (adults with SCI 50+ years old) and leaders (physical therapists, peer-facilitators) on a co-designed and peer-facilitated remote sport program employing an Integrated Knowledge Translation partnership approach.
A remote handcycling sport program was designed, implemented, and evaluated in partnership with those with lived SCI experience. Individuals involved in the program as participants or leaders were eligible for the qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather feedback on the program. Codebook thematic analysis was applied to interview data.
Five participants and three leaders participated. From our qualitative analysis, three themes were identified: (1) This journey is about the “we”: research partnerships and teamwork were described as critical program components; (2) Preferences and feedback on sport programming: participants provided diverse feedback on elements of the program such as structure and equipment; and (3) Beyond research to ongoing sport participation: the need to deliver a continuous sport program was emphasized.
Applying Integrated Knowledge Translation when designing, implementing, and evaluating programs can mitigate barriers and promote ongoing sport participation for this population.

Sport is a type of physical activity that can provide physical, psychological, and social health benefits for adults aging with spinal cord injury.
Sport programs that involve partnership with peers with lived experience of spinal cord injury throughout the process of design, implementation, and evaluation can enhance the sport experience of this population.
Remote sport programs can facilitate health equity and ongoing sport participation.

Sport is a type of physical activity that can provide physical, psychological, and social health benefits for adults aging with spinal cord injury.
Sport programs that involve partnership with peers with lived experience of spinal cord injury throughout the process of design, implementation, and evaluation can enhance the sport experience of this population.
Remote sport programs can facilitate health equity and ongoing sport participation.