Wheelchair racing: an important modality in acute rehabilitation after paraplegia

Sports rehabilitation has been proven effective with patients having spinal cord injury. This case discusses a man with T12/LI paraplegia who had acute rehabilitation augmented by competitive long distance wheelchair racing. Stress testing was used to evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness and to develop parameters whereby maximally efficient training could occur. Wheelchair modifications for racing were necessary. Competitive wheelchair racing was found valuable for this patient's physical, emotional and social rehabilitation. Patient involvement in racing has continued since discharge and the Boston Marathon was completed by wheelchair less than 1 year after onset of spinal cord injury.