The relationship between physical fitness and community participation in people with spinal cord injury

Abstract

BackgroundPeople with spinal cord injury (PWSCI) who use wheelchairs for mobility tend to be physically inactive because of their limited mobility. Poor endurance and exercise tolerance, associated with poor physical fitness, can make it challenging to meet the physical demands of activities such as manoeuvring a wheelchair over gravel roads. This may lead to poor community participation in activities PWSCI were involved in pre-morbidly. To date, no studies have been conducted in South Africa on what the relationship is between physical fitness and community participation in PWSCI.AimThe purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between physical fitness and community participation in PWSCI.MethodologyAn exploratory cross-sectional survey was conducted on PWSCI living in the Greater Tshwane Metropolitan City. Physical fitness was measured using the 6 minute push test (6MPT) and the Borg scale. Community participation was measured using the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNLI). The data were analysed using the Spearman’s Rank correlation at a 5% level of significance.ResultsModerate to poor associations were found between the 6MPT and the Borg scale with the RNLI (r = 0.637; p < 0.001 and r = −0.325; p = 0.013, respectively). These results indicate that the participants who were able to push further in 6 min and had better endurance were more satisfied with their perceived community participation.ConclusionThis study shows that there is a relationship between physical fitness and community participation in PWSCI. Information gained from this study lays the foundation for more studies in this area, and for possible improvement in rehabilitation practice.

Clinical and socio-demographic determinants of community reintegration in people with spinal cord injury in eThekwini Municipality, KwaZulu-Natal province

“…It has a visual analogue scale (VAS), three-point and four-point scoring systems. The RNLI demonstrates high internal consistency and adequate interrater reliability (patient and significant other) (Hitzig et al 2012 ; Van der Westhuizen et al 2017 ; Wood-Dauphinee et al 1988 ). It is responsive to changes in the clinical status of patients, particularly when the subscales of ‘Daily Functioning’ and ‘Perception of Self’ are considered.…”

“…Spinal cord injury is a life-altering event which is associated with a wide range of impairments in health and functioning that lead to limitations in activity and restrictions in participation (Kirchberger et al 2010 ; Van der Westhuizen, Mothabeng & Nkwenika 2017 ). The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework (World Health Organization 2001 ) succinctly describes the information on functioning and disability in people with spinal cord injury (PWSCI), indicating that contextual, environmental and personal factors influence the development of disability in PWSCI (World Health Organization 2001 ).…”

Interventional Programs for Community Reintegration after Spinal Cord Injury: A Scoping Review

“…Existing literature focuses on factors that influence community reintegration, with an emphasis on barriers and facilitators to community reintegration 17,[19][20][21][22][23][24] . Further, studies tend to focus on evaluation of community reintegration programmes following acute care and hospital-based rehabilitation [25][26][27][28] .…”