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The Relationship between Physical Activity Level and Functional Status of Subjects with High Spinal Cord Injury
Ewa Szeliga1, Agnieszka Brzozowska-Magoń1, Renata Borys1
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical Sciences College, University of Rzeszow, Rejtana 16c Street, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland.
Background:
Spinal cord injuries are one of disability in Poland and in the world.
Methods:
80 subjects with a transverse injury of the cervical spinal cord were enrolled in the study. The study group included men aged 20-50, 33.1 ± 7.5. A total of 40 (50%) of the subjects comprised the physically active group (AG)-subjects doing wheelchair sport twice a week for 90 min a day. The physically inactive group (IG) comprised 40 (50%) subjects who had not participated in any sports activities. Statistical analyses were carried out using Shapiro-Wilk W-test and Mann-Whitney U test.
Results:
Significant differences were found between the physically active and inactive men with regard to their functionality status. The biggest differences were found for turning over (p < 0.001) and in adopting a sitting position (p < 0.001). Persons in the AG group had better results in all assessed activities. The biggest differences were observed in the field of toilet and dressing up: tooth-brushing p < 0.007 and washing the top part of the body p < 0.002.
Conclusions:
People participating in regular physical activity-wheelchair rugby-after spinal cord injury have a better relationship with better fitness, greater independence and a better functional status.
