A comparison of past and future leisure activity participation between spinal cord injured and non-disabled persons

Abstract

Leisure activity profiles of 81 male and 21 female SCI subjects were compared with profiles of 135 male and 151 female non-disabled individuals. These profiles, derived from the Leisure Activities Blank (McKechnie, 1985), revealed that SCI subjects had been more physically active (prior to injury) than those in a non-disabled comparison group; however, their post-injury expectations for future leisure activity involvement were considerably lower than a similar study of non-disabled individuals. These reduced expectations were found for both active and sedentary activity categories. It is suggested that awareness of pre-morbid leisure activity profiles, plus recognition that post-injury expectations for leisure activity participation are often reduced, could assist medical personnel to prescribe treatment or offer programmes that enable SCI patients to maintain their pre-morbid lifestyles and enhance future leisure activity expectations. © 1990 International Medical Society of Paraplegia.