| The purpose of this study was to determine the strength of the relationships between participation in leisure-time physical activities, the level of physical fitness and the productive activities of a group of paraplegics in order to demonstrate the possible contribution of physical fitness and by implication, physical training to the overall productivity of paraplegics.;From about 250 potential subjects contacted, we recruited 62 male and 12 female subjects (mean age = 34.1 ;The results may suggest that (1) some elements of physical fitness might be useful to paraplegics in the completion of their work-related activities; (2) the participation in productive activities among paraplegics may depend on several other psychological and socio-demographic variables as well as some fitness variables; (3) the physical activity habits influence the level of fitness, and thus might indirectly improve the likelihood of participation in productive activities.;The subjects completed a questionnaire on the socio-demographic, educational, vocational and medical characteristics of the individual. Assessment of the psychological component included the following elements: mood state, self-esteem, locus of control, psychological hardiness (coping), motivation to work and occupational interest. Fitness assessment included measurements at rest, upper body strength and peak aerobic power with a graded exercise test on a wheelchair ergometer. The concept of overall productivity, included a person's participation in gainful employment, educational programmes, community services, housekeeping and active leisure. |
