Physical performance in persons with spinal cord injuries after discharge from rehabilitation

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in physical c apacity and performance of activities of daily Living (ADL) during the post rehabilitation period of persons with spinal cord injuries and to determine the factors explaining the changes in physical capacity. Methods: Nine sub jects with tetraplegia and 11 subjects with paraplegia were measured at tim e of discharge from rehabilitation (t1) and on average 1.2 yr later (t2). P hysical capacity was measured as maximal isometric strength (F-iso), sprint power output (P30), maximal power output (POmax), and peak oxygen uptake ( (V)over dot O-2peak). Physical strain and performance time were measured du ring standardized ADL (ascending ramp, passing door, making transfer, washi ng hands). Results: P30 and POmax showed a significant increase at t2, wher eas F-iso and (V)over dotO(2peak) remained unchanged. Sport activity was th e most important independent variable explaining relative changes in P30 an d POmax showing on average larger values in active subjects. Other independ ent variables that were significantly related to changes in physical capaci ty were the occurrence of illness and having a tetraplegia (negatively asso ciated with changes in P30 and (V)over dotO(2peak)), and incompleteness of the lesion and an increased body mass (positively associated with changes i n F-iso). Increase in physical capacity was found to coincide with decrease of the physical strain and performance time of ADL, reflected in significa nt negative correlation coefficients for some tasks. Conclusions: It is con cluded that physical capacity and performance of ADL improved or remained c onstant during the first year after rehabilitation and that sport participa tion is associated with improvements in physical capacity. Results of this study underline the importance of being physically active during the period after rehabilitation of persons with spinal cord injuries.