Exploring sport participation in individuals with spinal cord injury: A qualitative thematic synthesis

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2023 · DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2021.2009676 · Published: July 1, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Orthopedics Research Methodology & Design

Simple Explanation

This study looks at how participating in sports affects people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). It focuses on their experiences and feelings about how sports influence their physical, mental, and social well-being. The study found that sports help people with SCI adjust to their injury, start participating in sports, experience positive outcomes, and change how they view SCI. Overall, sports play a crucial role in helping them live fulfilling lives. By understanding the experiences of people with SCI in sports, this information can be used to improve and create better sports programs that support their overall health and well-being.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

106 athletes with SCI

Evidence Level

Qualitative thematic synthesis

Key Findings

1
Sport facilitates the progression to living an enriching life with SCI.
2
Participants detailed many benefits of sport, including improved fitness, independence, confidence, and sense of community.
3
Sport helped reshape views of SCI by breaking stereotypes and inspiring others.

Research Summary

The main finding from this study was that sport facilitates the progression to living an enriching life with SCI. The extensive benefits of sport included improvements in strength, independence, mental health, and sense of community. Challenges included traveling and finances. Beyond individual outcomes, sport also enabled participants to break stereotypes and re-educate others.

Practical Implications

Encourage Sport Participation

Given the many positive outcomes of sport participation, sport could be encouraged for more people with SCI.

Address Logistical Challenges

Athletes and their families need to problem-solve collaboratively with coaches to overcome logistical challenges like transportation and accessibility.

Future Research on Aging SCI Population

Future research should focus on investigating the experiences of older individuals with SCI on sport participation.

Study Limitations

1
Uncertainty may exist regarding how the synthesis was developed.
2
The exclusion of studies investigating perspectives of other key stakeholders (i.e. coaches, clinicians, family) may have limited the scope of our results.
3
Focusing on athletes was appropriate for the purpose of this review and will be particularly important for future studies seeking to make effective decisions on program implementation.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury