TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychosocial impact of participation in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and Winter Sports Clinic
AU - Sporner, Michelle L.
AU - Fitzgerald, Shirley G.
AU - Dicianno, Brad E.
AU - Collins, Diane
AU - Teodorski, Emily
AU - Pasquina, Paul F.
AU - Cooper, Rory A.
N1 - Funding Information:
This project was completed solely at the VA Center of Excellence, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. This study was supported by The Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center under Proposal Number 06053001, HSRRB Log Number A-13839 and Center of Excellence for Wheelchairs and Associated Rehabilitation Engineering (VA B3142C).
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of individuals who participa e in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) and the Winter Sports Clinic (WSC) for veterans with disabilities. In addition, it was of interest to determine how these events had impacted their lives. Method. Participants were recruited atthe 20th Winter Sports Clinic, held in Snowmass Colorado and the 26th National Veterans Wheelchair Games held in Anchorage, Alaska. Data of interest included demographic, sport participation information, community integration, self-esteem, and quality of life. A secondary data analysis was completed to determine how comparable individuals who attended the NVWG/WSC were to individuals who did not participate in these events. Results. The 132 participants were a mean age of 47.4 + 13.4 and lived with a disability for an average of 13.4 + 12.1. Participants felt that the NVWG/WSC increased their knowledge of sports equipment (92%), learning sports (89%), mobility skills (84%), and acceptance of disability (84%). The majority of participants stated that the NVWG/WSC improved their life. Of those who participated at the NVWG/WSC, they tended to be more mobile, but have increased physical and cognitive limitations as measured by the CHART when compared to the non-attendees. Conclusions. Recommending veterans participate in events such as the NVWG and WSC can provide psychosocial benefits to veterans with disabilities.
AB - Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of individuals who participa e in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games (NVWG) and the Winter Sports Clinic (WSC) for veterans with disabilities. In addition, it was of interest to determine how these events had impacted their lives. Method. Participants were recruited atthe 20th Winter Sports Clinic, held in Snowmass Colorado and the 26th National Veterans Wheelchair Games held in Anchorage, Alaska. Data of interest included demographic, sport participation information, community integration, self-esteem, and quality of life. A secondary data analysis was completed to determine how comparable individuals who attended the NVWG/WSC were to individuals who did not participate in these events. Results. The 132 participants were a mean age of 47.4 + 13.4 and lived with a disability for an average of 13.4 + 12.1. Participants felt that the NVWG/WSC increased their knowledge of sports equipment (92%), learning sports (89%), mobility skills (84%), and acceptance of disability (84%). The majority of participants stated that the NVWG/WSC improved their life. Of those who participated at the NVWG/WSC, they tended to be more mobile, but have increased physical and cognitive limitations as measured by the CHART when compared to the non-attendees. Conclusions. Recommending veterans participate in events such as the NVWG and WSC can provide psychosocial benefits to veterans with disabilities.
KW - Activities of daily living
KW - Exercise
KW - Quality of life
KW - Sports
KW - Wheelchairs
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U2 - 10.1080/09638280802030923
DO - 10.1080/09638280802030923
M3 - Article
C2 - 18608391
AN - SCOPUS:66849118995
SN - 0963-8288
VL - 31
SP - 410
EP - 418
JO - Disability and Rehabilitation
JF - Disability and Rehabilitation
IS - 5
ER -