title: Recovery of golfing ability in someone with an incomplete spinal cord injury: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this case report was to describe the elements needed to play golf, detail a rehabilitation program designed to teach someone with an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) to play golf and to document outcomes of such a program.
  
  
  METHODS
  The participant was a 58-year-old male who sustained an incomplete C3-C6 SCI. The program was divided into three phases. Phase one (nine sessions) consisted of balance, strengthening and flexibility activities to prepare him to play golf. During phase two (12 sessions), he practiced his golf swing in a clinical setting and in phase three (seven sessions) focused on task-oriented training at a golf course. The ability to play golf, putting accuracy, driving distance, quality of swing, balance, physical functioning, walking capacity, muscle strength, endurance and quality of life were measured before and after the intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participant was able to complete 9-holes of golf with assistance and demonstrated greater ability to drive the ball with better quality of swing. Improvements were observed in balance, physical functioning, walking capacity, endurance and quality of life but not in overall strength or putting accuracy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This individual was able to return to golf following an intense rehabilitation program even though he required an assistive device to walk. Implications for Rehabilitation Individuals with spinal cord injury often have impairments which make participation in leisure activities more difficult. Participation in leisure activities has been associated with better subjective well being and quality of life. Rehabilitation therapists should consider creating leisure goals with their patients.
authors.affiliation: The Sage Colleges , Troy, NY , USA.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moriello
authors.forename: Rita E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Brendon P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Abigail R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Schuck
authors.forename: Spencer R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Swift
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006055:Golf / Q000193:education / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D004856:Postural Balance; D011788:Quality of Life; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Golf; leisure; spinal cord injury