Abstract
Background. Spinal cord injuries are one of disability in Poland and in the world. Methods: 80 subjects with a transverse injury of the cervical spinal cord were enrolled in the study. The study group included men aged 20–50, 33.1 ± 7.5. A total of 40 (50%) of the subjects comprised the physically active group (AG)—subjects doing wheelchair sport twice a week for 90 min a day. The physically inactive group (IG) comprised 40 (50%) subjects who had not participated in any sports activities. Statistical analyses were carried out using Shapiro-Wilk W-test and Mann-Whitney U test. Results. Significant differences were found between the physically active and inactive men with regard to their functionality status. The biggest differences were found for turning over (p < 0.001) and in adopting a sitting position (p < 0.001). Persons in the AG group had better results in all assessed activities. The biggest differences were observed in the field of toilet and dressing up: tooth-brushing p < 0.007 and washing the top part of the body p < 0.002. Conclusions. People participating in regular physical activity–wheelchair rugby–after spinal cord injury have a better relationship with better fitness, greater independence and a better functional status.
Highlights
Cervical spine injuries with spinal cord injuries are among the most severe consequences of accidents, often with a dramatic course
Similar results were achieved by Ravenek, Ginis, Smerjian and Tasiemski and Van der Ploeg, who studied subject taking part in regular physical activity after spinal cord injury, for which they found a higher level of subject independence and observed that physically active subjects are more selfreliant in their daily activities [27,28,29,30]
Similar results were presented by Lipert, emphasizing a positive influence of movement and active rehabilitation camps on functional status of subjects after cervical spinal cord injury [35]
Summary
Cervical spine injuries with spinal cord injuries are among the most severe consequences of accidents, often with a dramatic course. Problems that result from the inhibition of the spinal cord’s functions, including the inability to move and moving in a wheelchair, as well as the loss of all kinds of sensations, paralysis of the sphincters with involuntary urination and defecation and sexual dysfunction are serious challenges for the individual. They are often a direct source of problems, taking the form of anxiety, depression, psychosomatic and neurotic disorders, and they evoke feelings of shame, helplessness, harm and even alienation in the patient. They do not accept what has happened or what they have to deal with, and they wait for recovery or even a miracle [1]
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