People with mobility impairments: Physical activity and quality of participation

Background: We sought to describe the characteristics of physical activity levels, health, community integration, and social participation of people with mobility impairments. Methods: Based on responses to a participation survey, respondents, located primarily in the Midwestern United States, were divided into 3 physical activity groups: high, low, and inactive. We chose a purposeful sample of 604 people with mobility limitations who had a diagnosis of spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke, or poliomyelitis. The Participation Survey/Mobility (PARTS/M) was used to measure participation in 6 domains and 20 different activities, the Physical Activity and Health Status (SF-36) was used to measure health and quality of life, and the Reintegration to Normal Living Index (RNL) was used to measure integration into the community. Results: People with mobility impairments who were identified as having a high level of physical activity reported greater participation, better health, and a higher level of reintegration to normal community living compared with participants who described their physical activity level as low or inactive. Conclusion: Positive health status and superior community participation were found in a high physical activity group compared with low active or inactive groups of people with mobility impairments and limitations.