Importance of kinesiologic recreation beginning in early rehabilitation in Zagreb

Rehabilitation of persons injured in the Croatian Homeland War is complex and prolonged because war wounds heal longer due to infections, additional complications and associated injuries of many organic structures. To make their prolonged hospitalization easier, the first sports competition of war-injured persons was organized in Zagreb on September 26th 1992. Out of 2457 wounded patients undergoing rehabilitation at the Dubrava University Hospital (UHD) in Zagreb till April 4th 1995, a total of 566 (23.03%) participated in sports activities. Competitions were organized in table tennis, darts, suspended bowling, sitting basketball, air gun shooting and mini golf. By participating in sports competitions, the wounded treated at the UHD and other hospitals were encouraged to continue such activities during their treatment in rehabilitation centers but also after finishing their medical rehabilitation. For the purpose of continuous follow-up of the war-wounded who wanted to continue sport activities the Guidance Center for Sport Activities of the Homeland War-Wounded was founded in Zagreb. The wounded that started sports activities on a recreational basis during treatment at the UHD are active today even in international competitions for handicapped and they achieve very good results. To reach this goal they have to exercise hard and regularly and this is possible only if their basic needs are fulfilled and they are well incorporated into their surroundings. This is an additional step in the social reintegration, i.e., the inclusion of these persons into their surroundings and all parts of the society they belong to and to which they gave the best part of themselves.