Determining the relation between quality of life, handicap, fitness, and physical activity for persons with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
Determining relationships among fitness, physical activity, subjective quality of life, and handicap in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).


METHODS
Cross-sectional exploratory study.


METHODS
University research laboratory setting.


METHODS
Twenty-eight men and 10 women (age 35.9+/-9.3 yrs) with SCI (17 quadriplegic, 21 paraplegic).


METHODS
Fitness (maximal incremental exercise test on arm ergometer), physical activity (leisure time exercise questionnaire), subjective quality of life (Quality of Life Profile: Physical and Sensory Disabilities Version), and level of handicap (Craig Handicap Assessment Reporting Technique). Correlational analyses examined relationships between the measures.


RESULTS
Physical activity was correlated with composite handicap score in quadriplegic and paraplegic persons. Handicap domain scores for physical independence, mobility, and occupation were correlated with physical activity in quadriplegic persons. There was no relation between the subjective quality of life scores and fitness and physical activity in either group.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity may play an important role in handicap for persons with SCI, particularly persons with quadriplegic injuries. The lack of a relation between activity variables and subjective quality of life may be related to the global nature of the measure used.
Manns
P J
PJ
College of Kinesiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Chad
K E
KE
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors