Examining the Continuity of Recreation Engagement in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injuries

The aim of this study was to examine the continuity of recreation engagement (identify changes in recreational habits pre- and post-injury) in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who use wheelchairs, and to explore how factors related to injury impacted on changes in recreation engagement. People with SCI (N = 985) reported stopping participation in several recreational activities after injury. Almost 40% of participants discontinue engagement in sports activities after SCI, followed by traveling (24%), socializing (21.5%), and going to concerts or cinemas (19.6%). However 61.7% of individuals with SCI were able to continue socializing, and 43% continued sports activities after SCI. Older people with SCI, individuals with quadriplegia, and those with more hours of help needed from other people require special attention from healthcare professionals in order to get back to enjoyable recreational activities after SCI.