The effect of sports on level of community integration as reported by persons with spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether participation in sports by persons with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) affected level of community integration as defined by the World Health Organization and as measured by the Craig Handicap Assessment and Reporting Technique (CHART).


METHODS
Forty-eight participants were recruited from a camp for persons with physical disabilities as well as from SCI support groups. Participants were divided into groups of athletes (n = 30) and nonathletes (n = 18) on the basis of their self-reported level of sports participation.


RESULTS
Athletes scored significantly higher on four of five subsections of the CHART (physical independence, mobility, occupation, social integration), indicating greater levels of community integration than nonathletes.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings extend the literature outlining the physical and psychological benefits of sports. Occupational therapists have a unique opportunity to use the occupation of sports to integrate the roots of the profession with the cultural demands of society.
Hanson
C S
CS
Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Florida, PO Box 100164, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA. chanson@hp.ufl.edu
Nabavi
D
D
Yuen
H K
HK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012919:Social Behavior; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013177:Sports