Factors influencing sports participation for physical activities of people with spinal cord lesion

Abstract

Introduction: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a chronic debilitating condition with longterm sufferings, and physical inactivity of SCI patients is considered as common comorbidity. Sports participation of SCI patients in rehabilitation phase help to increase physical activities. Aim of the study: It was aimed to evaluate the sport participation on physical activities among the SCI patients. Objectives: To identify the evolutionary in physical activities on sport participation of SCI patients. Methods: This study was done by using quantitative method, which was a cross sectional study on the people with spinal cord injury and who rehabilitated at CRP the largest rehabilitation center for SCI in Bangladesh. The study population was all spinal cord injury patients and 127 Sample were conveniently selected for the study. Data were collected by using Self-generated WHODAS 2.0 and a standard structured and semistructured questionnaire. Researcher maintained the all-ethical issues. Data were numerically captured in SPSS 20 version. Furthermore, Microsoft excel was used for the analysis of data and for the presentation of the data as well. Results: Among the 127 participants the gender frequency between male and female was 89% (n=113) and 11% (n=14). Among them the age median (IQR) was 28 (20-36). Married were 66% (n= 52), unmarried were 48% (n=61). Causes of injury were Road Traffic Accident 44%, Fall from height 38%, Carrying Heavy Weight 11%, Scarf Injury 2%, Shallow dive 0.8% and others 4%. 32% were tetraplegia and 68% were paraplegia. 38% participants were complete A and 62% were incomplete. 96% were using any kind of assistive devices. Significant correlations between the independent variables and domains of Self-generated WHODAS 2.0 had been showed and type of injury had correlations with all domains where p-value was <0.05 and the life activities in school and work place had significant correlations with the occupational status of the participants. Conclusion: In this study, researcher found significant correlations between sports participation and physical activities. Participating sports have benefits in physical activities and improving quality of life for people with SCI. Key Words: Spinal Cord Injury, sport participation, physical activities. Word count: 11,100.