THE IMPACT OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES ON QUALITY OF LIFE OF PERSONS WITH A SPINAL CORD INJURY

Zdrav Var, 2016 · DOI: 10.1515/sjph-2016-0014 · Published: January 1, 2016

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how sports activities affect the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI). It compares the quality of life and secondary health conditions between athletes with SCI and non-athletes with SCI. The research involved 44 individuals with paraplegia, dividing them into two groups: athletes who train regularly and non-athletes. They used questionnaires and medical records to assess their quality of life and the presence of secondary health issues. The study found that athletes with SCI reported a higher quality of life compared to non-athletes. Additionally, they experienced less pain and better circulation. The research concludes that sports activities can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with SCI, though their impact on secondary health conditions is partial.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

44 participants with spinal cord injury-paraplegia

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Athletes with spinal cord injuries perceive a higher quality of life compared to non-athletes, according to the Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Questionnaire (SCI QL-23).
2
Sports activities appear to reduce the presence of pain and improve the subjective feeling of circulation among individuals with SCI.
3
Urinary tract infections were commonly reported in both groups, while athletes reported less presence of pressure ulcers, which is not negligible, since the difference was at the border of statistical significance

Research Summary

The study aimed to determine the difference between persons with a spinal cord injury involved in sports activities and those not involved in sports activities in relation to their quality of life and the presence of secondary health conditions. The research included 44 participants with paraplegia, dividing them into athletes and non-athletes. Data was collected using questionnaires, medical documentation, and the Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Questionnaire (SCI QL-23). The study concluded that sports activities significantly improve the quality of life for people with spinal cord injuries but only partially affect secondary health conditions like pain and circulation.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Programs

The findings support the inclusion of sports and physical activities in rehabilitation programs for individuals with SCI to enhance their quality of life.

Pain Management

Encouraging sports participation can be a strategy for managing and reducing pain among individuals with SCI.

Circulation Improvement

Promoting physical activities may help improve circulation and overall well-being for people with SCI.

Study Limitations

1
All the data were obtained exclusively by means of self-reporting (secondary health conditions and QoL), which means that they could be biased and under the influence of forgetting.
2
Next, the sample of the participants was relatively small, further limiting a detailed analysis of the differences between the groups.
3
The limiting factor of our study is certainly the nonhomogeneousness of the group of the participants involved in sports activities in relation to the type, intensity and frequency of sports training.

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