Influence of long-term wheelchair rugby training on the functional abilities in persons with tetraplegia over a two-year post-spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess the influence of long-term wheelchair rugby training on the functional abilities of persons with tetraplegia over a 2-year period post-spinal cord injury.


METHODS
A prospective non-randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
Forty people with incomplete tetraplegia were examined. Participants were divided into 2 groups: a wheelchair rugby training group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20).


METHODS
The Wheelchair Skills Test was used to assess functional changes in patients. In order to assess the strength of the 10 key muscles in the upper limb, the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score was used. All participants were assessed at the beginning of the study (at the start of wheelchair rugby training) and reassessed after 2 years. Between pre- and post-measurements patients from the wheelchair rugby group attended wheelchair rugby training once a week.


RESULTS
The baseline values of the Wheelchair Skills Test in the wheelchair rugby group was 71.3, and this increased significantly by 24%. In the control group, the mean Wheelchair Skills Test value was 63.2, and this improved by 4%. A significant correlation between Wheelchair Skills Test score and ASIA motor score was found in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Participation in regular wheelchair rugby training may preserve and augment functional abilities in individuals with incomplete tetraplegia.
Furmaniuk
Lech
L
Department of Kinesiotherapy, The Eugeniusz Piasecki University, School of Physical Education in Poznan, ul. Królowej Jadwigi 27/39, Poland. lehoofur@wp.pl
Cywińska-Wasilewska
Grazyna
G
Kaczmarek
Dominik
D
D000328:Adult; D054874:Athletic Performance; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors; D014910:Wheelchairs; D055815:Young Adult