## 1 Introduction  
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe and irreversible neurological event, with significant and long-lasting consequences on the quality of life of the affected individual, as well as that of their family members and caregivers [1]. In Europe, between 2011 and 2020, 1303 patients with incident traumatic SCI were identified in a population of 4.9 million inhabitants [2], while in Italy, a multicenter study reported an annual incidence of 14.7 cases per million, with a higher prevalence among males (male-to-female ratio of 4:1) and a mean age of 54 years [3]. The most frequent causes were falls (40.9%) and road traffic accidents (33.5%) [3]. Depending on the neurological level (typically cervical, thoracic, or lumbar) and completeness of injury, individuals with SCI may experience impairments in motor, sensory, and autonomic functions that significantly reduce their capacity for movement and physical activity (PA) [4]. Cervical injuries may result in greater motor impairment (tetraplegia), while thoracic and lumbar injuries more commonly lead to paraplegia. These impairments create personal, logistical, and societal barriers to PA, including dependence on assistance, inaccessible exercise facilities, and lack of tailored exercise programs [5]. Furthermore, secondary complications of SCI, such as cardiovascular dysfunctions, neurogenic bladder, bowel management, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis, pressure ulcers, spasticity, chronic pain, and muscle mass loss, significantly limit functional capacity and complicate participation in regular PA [6]. Indeed, individuals with SCI experience reduced energy and metabolic capacity during exercise, making regular PA even more crucial to counteract these limitations and maintain overall health [7]. Indeed, PA is particularly recognized as a primary tool for preventing secondary complications and managing comorbidities in individuals with SCI [8]. People with disabilities should have full access to opportunities for improving their health and well-being, as affirmed by the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Despite this, individuals with disabilities, including those with SCI, often encounter substantial barriers to PA, such as inaccessible environments, lack of information, and ableist social attitudes [9]. According to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines [10], PA is considered regular for individuals with disabilities when it includes at least 150 min per week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or at least 75 min per week of vigorous-intensity exercise. Adequate PA levels are associated with numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases [11], type 2 diabetes [12], obesity [13], and certain types of cancer [14]. Conversely, prolonged SB and physical inactivity are recognized as independent risk factors for the development of chronic conditions and increased mortality [15]. However, research shows that only 12-29% of individuals with SCI meet these guidelines [16; 17], and they are up to 15 times more likely to lead sedentary lifestyles compared to the general population [8] and compared to those with other chronic conditions [18], even after adjusting for known correlates such as age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, and socioeconomic status [17]. A growing body of literature has explored barriers and facilitators to PA among individuals with SCI. These include lack of transportation, cost of participation, fear of injury, and low self-confidence [18]. While one study used behavioral models such as social cognitive theory to emphasize the role of self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and self-regulation [19], fewer have examined attitudes explicitly using a structured theoretical framework in country-specific contexts. In this regard, the theory of planned behavior (TPB) [20; 21; 22] offers a valuable framework for understanding PA engagement.