The impact of sport participation for individuals with spinal cord injury: A scoping review

Article type: Review Article

Authors: Cheung, Lovisa^{a; b} | Chan, Katherine^b | Heffernan, Matthew G.^{a; b} | Pakosh, Maureen^c | Hitzig, Sander L.^{a; d; e} | Marzolini, Susan^{a; b; f} | Kalsi-Ryan, Sukhvinder^{a; b; g} | Musselman, Kristin E.^{a; b; g; *}

Affiliations: [a] Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada | [b] KITE-Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada | [c] Library & Information Services, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada | [d] St. John’s Rehab Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada | [e] Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada | [f] Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada | [g] Department of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Kristin E. Musselman, SCI Mobility Lab, KITE, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute-UHN, 520 Sutherland Drive, Toronto, M4G 3V9, Canada. E-mail: kristin.musselman@utoronto.ca.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to various physical, psychological, and social challenges. Sport is a holistic physical activity that may target these challenges. No literature systematically summarizes the overall impact of sport participation for those with SCI. OBJECTIVE:To comprehensively report the findings of quantitative studies investigating the impact of sport on the physical, psychological, and social health of individuals with SCI. METHODS:Six databases were searched: APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Embase, Emcare, Ovid Medline, and PubMed (non-Medline). Studies were included if (a) participants were adults with SCI for ≥12 months, (b) outcomes resulting from ≥3 months of sport participation were investigated, (c) sport occurred in the community setting, and (d) comparisons of sport and non-sport conditions were analyzed. Details regarding study characteristics, participants, sport(s), and outcomes were extracted. Methodological quality was assessed using the Modified Downs and Black checklist. RESULTS:Forty-nine studies were included. Study quality ranged from poor to moderate. Sport participation showed favourable results for outcomes including function, quality of life, and community integration. Mixed results were found for outcomes including cardiac function, depressive symptoms, and employment. No significant associations were found for postural control, resilience, and education. CONCLUSIONS:The review findings suggest sport may be a promising intervention for addressing some challenges associated with SCI.

Keywords: Exercise, para-athletes, quantitative research, spinal cord injuries, sport

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-220037

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 51, no. 3, pp. 353-395, 2022