General Introduction

Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) tend to be less physically fit than the general non-SCI population.1 2 Impaired physical functioning associated with SCI can lead to physical inactivity and reduced physical fitness. This can, in turn, lead to secondary complications and difficulties in activities of daily living. Exercise and sport can break this vicious cycle. 3 4 5

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Lisa's Story

Lisa "lived" sports...Athletics played a major role both in her private and professional life, as she was an accomplished athlete and a respected high school physical education (and geography) teacher. Following her spinal cord injury (SCI), Lisa’s fitness and athleticism were significant contributors to her overall recovery.

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Assessment

During the initial assessment phase of the Rehab-Cycle^®, both Lisa and members of her rehabilitation team provided insight into Lisa's functioning in terms of body functions and structures, activities and participation, and environmental and personal factors.

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Goal-setting/Determination of Intervention Targets

Having a comprehensive overview of Lisa's functioning based on the rehabilitation team's assessment and her own statements about her situation helped the rehabilitation team to identify specific intervention targets and concrete goals to achieve during the Rehab-Cycle^®, including those related to reviving Lisa's active participation in sports.

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Assignment and Intervention

Specific interventions for each of the intervention targets were determined and assigned to the appropriate member(s) of the rehabilitation team. With special emphasis on sports in this Rehab-Cycle^®, Lisa's rehabilitation team also included a sports therapist and psychologist in addition to the regular team members.

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Evaluation

Two months after starting the Rehab-Cycle^®, Lisa had progressed, meeting the goals set for two of her three cycle goals  – independence in self-care and increased participation in recreation and leisure.

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Discussion

Sports and other physical activities can play an important role in the rehabilitative process of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI).

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Literature

1. Jacobs PL, Nash MS. Exercise recommendations for individuals with spinal cord injury. Sports Med. 2004; 34(11): 727-751.
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3. Hoffman MD. Cardiorespiratory fitness and training in quadriplegics and paraplegics. Sports Med. 1986; 3(5): 312-330.
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