People with mobility impairments: Physical activity and quality of participation

Disabil Health J. 2008 Jan;1(1):7-13. doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2007.11.004.

Abstract

Background: we sought to describe the characteristics of physical activity levels, health, community integration, and social participation of people with mobility impairments.

Methods: based on responses to a participation survey, respondents, located primarily in the Midwestern United States, were divided into 3 physical activity groups: high, low, and inactive. We chose a purposeful sample of 604 people with mobility limitations who had a diagnosis of spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, or poliomyelitis. The Participation Survey/Mobility (PARTS/M) was used to measure participation in 6 domains and 20 different activities, the Physical Activity and Health Status (SF-36) was used to measure health and quality of life, and the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNL) was used to measure integration into the community.

Results: people with mobility impairments who were identified as having a high level of physical activity reported greater participation, better health, and a higher level of reintegration to normal community living compared with participants who described their physical activity level as low or inactive.

Conclusion: positive health status and superior community participation were found in a high physical activity group compared with low active or inactive groups of people with mobility impairments and limitations.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living / psychology
  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Disabled Persons / psychology*
  • Exercise / psychology
  • Female
  • Health Status
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mobility Limitation*
  • Motor Activity*
  • Quality of Life / psychology*
  • Self Report
  • Social Participation / psychology*
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Stress, Psychological
  • Surveys and Questionnaires