The Effectiveness of Active Rehabilitation Camp on Physical Performance of Disabled People Moving in Wheelchairs

Abstract

(1) Background: Regular participation in physical activity (PA) prevents many medical complications and improves the physical fitness of people with spinal cord injury, and in turn improves the functional independence, psychosocial status and quality of life. The goal of Active Rehabilitation Camps (ARCs) is to use various forms of PA in order for the participants to obtain the greatest efficiency and independence in everyday life. (2) Purpose: To evaluate the improvement in physical performance of people with chronic spinal cord disabilities moving in wheelchairs taking part in the Active Rehabilitation Camp depending on (a) sex, (b) type of disability, (c) the level of injury and (d) the type of wheelchair. (3) Methods: The study included 42 wheelchair users: 28 men and 14 women aged 18–65 years (34.7 ± 14.9 years) taking part in the Active Rehabilitation Camp. Finally, the study involved 27 paraplegics, 9 tetraplegics and 6 individuals with myelomeningocele. The participants took part in four fitness tests: (1) sprint test (SP)—individual time to cover a distance of 15 m in the wheelchair; (2) slalom test (SL)—time to ride between four cones front and back; (3) basketball ball throw at a distance (BT), (4) zig-zag test (ZZ)—riding continuously for 6 min on the designated track. The tests were performed at the beginning and at the end of the ACR. Active wheelchairs were used by 32 participants, and 10 participants used the classic wheelchairs. (4) Results: Paraplegics achieved the best average results in all the tests and the best improvement in physical performance in comparison to individuals with myelomeningocele and tetraplegics. People in active wheelchairs achieved a statistically significant improvement in the results of SL and ZZ (p < 0.001). People with injury above Th-9 level of the spinal cord achieved a statistically significant improvement in the results of SP (p < 0.01), SL and ZZ (p < 0.01). People with injury below Th6 achieved a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.05) in SP, SL and ZZ. (5) Conclusions: Regular PA during the Active Rehabilitation Camp improves the physical performance of disabled people in wheelchairs, but the scale of improvement of physical performance fitness depends on the type of wheelchair used and the level and the type of injury.

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

“…Additionally, studies by Fliess-Douer confirm that physical activity significantly improves functional status and, as a result, movement [34]. Similar results were presented by Lipert, emphasizing a positive influence of movement and active rehabilitation camps on functional status (with regard to daily activities and movement) of subjects after cervical spinal cord injury [35]. Our own results are different from the results achieved by Nas, where only a slight improvement was observed in such activities as dressing up and using the toilet without assistance [26].…”

Community mobility and participation assessment of manual wheelchair users: a review of current techniques and challenges

“…This was further supported by Sol et al (2021) in their 2021 study of 60 MWU, concluding from their examination of different training and rehab methods that "A combination of exercise and [Wheelchair Mobility Skills] WMS training appears to have significant positive long-term effects on [physical activity] PA, WMS, confidence in wheelchair mobility, and (an)aerobic performance in youth using a manual wheelchair." Another example of using rehabilitation to promote physical fitness in MWU was given by Canori et al (2023) survey of 26 participants which found that improving a patient's CP could "potentially improve motivation for PA." The preservation of physical fitness was shown to be achievable through active rehabilitation in Lipert et al (2021) study of how rehabilitation affected physical performance for their 42 MWU participants.…”

Relationship between secondary health conditions and life satisfaction in persons with spinal cord injury: study across twenty-one countries

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