Trauma and spinal cord injury: Reflections from research into physical activity and sport

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results from neural damage to the spinal cord and is typically experienced as a traumatic event impacting people’s physical, psychological, social, and emotional worlds. In this chapter, we reflect on our empirical research with people who have acquired SCI and their experiences with physical activity (PA) and sport over time following this traumatic life event. We begin by briefly outlining how injury to the spinal cord occurs and the ongoing traumatising effects of SCI in relation to people’s health and well-being. We then move on to discuss our own research taking a critical approach to (1) PA promotion (Toni) and (2) sport and identity (James) when exploring the lives of people who have acquired SCI. Here we reflect on conceptual and methodological considerations in undertaking research into SCI, trauma, PA, and sport including the possibilities and challenges of using longitudinal integrated methods and ethnographic approaches. To conclude, we make suggestions for the development of a trauma-informed approach to research with people with SCI and provide methodological recommendations for future PA and sport research in this field.