Adaptive Sports Introduction During Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Descriptive Study

Adaptive sports (AdS) are sports which have been modified to facilitate the participation of people with disabilities. They have physical, functional, and psychosocial benefits. However, little is known about the role of introduction of AdS in the inpatient setting. The primary objectives of this cross-sectional study are to understand if patients with new disability want to be exposed to AdS in an inpatient setting, and what patient factors correlate with this desire.

100 inpatients were surveyed on their exposure to AdS during the admission. All patients aged 18 or older who were admitted to a tertiary rehabilitation hospital with new disability, and who could complete a paper survey were considered for inclusion.

Most participants had diagnoses of stroke (n=33), spinal cord injury (SCI) (n=31), and amputation (n=21). Forty-three percent wanted exposure to AdS during admission. Younger age (P<0.01), pre-admission sports participation (P<0.05), and exposure to AdS during rehabilitation (P<0.01), but not sex or type of mobility aids required at discharge, correlated positively with desire for AdS.

Many people with new disability are interested in AdS exposure in the acute rehabilitation stage. Having multiple team members initiating these exposures in different formats may optimize exposure and participation.