Factors influencing sport participation among athletes with spinal cord injury

Objective: This exploratory study examined the relationships between pre- a nd post-injury sport participation among active individuals with spinal cor d injury (SCI) in the United Kingdom. In particular, factors that influence individuals with SCI into sport were identified. Methods: A total of 143 B ritish individuals with SCI currently participating in wheelchair basketbal l, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair tennis, and wheelchair athletics were recru ited. A total of 112 subjects were active prelesion, and 31 subjects were i nactive preinjury. A Disability Sport Participation questionnaire developed by the authors was used for data collection. The questionnaire was distrib uted through the British Wheelchair Sport Associations. Personal, impairmen t, health and fitness, socialization, and participation data of athletes wi th SCI were collected. Groups of active preinjury and inactive preinjury we re compared. Results: For athletes who had been active pre-SCI, the in-hosp ital rehabilitation program and specialized sport club for people with disa bilities were more important contexts for introducing the sport after injur y to individuals. Friends and peers with disabilities were much more influe ntial as initial and continuing socialization agents than rehabilitation th erapists. The main reasons for athletes with SCT who participated in sports after injury were for fitness, fun, health, and competition, although many athletes noted that social aspects and rehabilitation also influenced thei r sport participation. Conclusion: This study identified social contexts, s ocial agents, difficulties, sources of information, and reasons for sport p articipation of athletes with SCI. The results may offer some directions fo r the improvement of rehabilitation programs for people with SCI and also h elp the development of appropriate strategies to encourage people with SCI to participate in sports and leisure activities.