The Relationship between Physical Activity Level and Functional Status of Subjects with High Spinal Cord Injury

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health 2022-02, Vol.19 (3), p.1787
• Main Authors: Szeliga, Ewa, Brzozowska-Magoń, Agnieszka, Borys, Renata, Wolan-Nieroda, Andżelina, Walicka-Cupryś, Katarzyna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Consent; Disability; Efficiency; Exercise; Functional Status; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Injuries; Male; Mental health; Participation; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Physiology; Quality of life; Questionnaires; Sitting position; Spinal Cord Injuries; Sports; Statistical analysis; Wheel dressing; Wheelchairs
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031787

Spinal cord injuries are one of disability in Poland and in the world. 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. 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 ( < 0.001) and in adopting a sitting position ( < 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 < 0.007 and washing the top part of the body < 0.002. 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.