Although there was a lack of consensus among the selected studies , the majority of them presented a strong correlation between physical activity and variables of quality of life and /or functional independence .
Thus , physical activity appears to have an important influence on social relationships , functional independence , psychological factors , and physical aspects , which can enhance quality of life and independence in the performance of daily activities
This study aim ed to perform a systematic review of studies that address the influence of physical activity on the quality of life and functional independence of adult individuals with spinal cord injury .
Maintenance of exercise participation in individuals with spinal cord injury: effects on quality of life, stress and pain
Study design : Follow-up study of seven individuals with spinal cord injury ( SCI ) who completed a 9-month r and omized control trial ( RCT ) of exercise training .  Objective : In a 9-month RCT conducted in our lab , individuals with SCI who participated in a twice-weekly supervised exercise training reported greater perceived quality of life ( PQOL ) , and less stress and pain than a nonexercising control cohort . The present follow-up study examined the voluntary continuation of exercise training after the study ended and the persistence of the accrued psychosocial benefits . Setting : Centre for Health Promotion and Rehabilitation , McMaster University , Hamilton , Ontario , Canada . Methods : Five men and two women ( age 42.3±3.6 years ) with SCI ( C5–T12 ; ASIA A – D 12.7±8.2 years postinjury ) were invited to continue supervised exercise training twice weekly at the completion of the 9-month RCT . Exercise adherence , PQOL , stress and bodily pain were measured at a 3-month follow-up and were compared to values obtained at baseline , and at 3 , 6 and 9 months during the intervention . Results : There was a significant decrease in adherence at the 3-month follow-up compared to the overall 9-month adherence rate ( 42.7 versus 80.6 % , respectively ; P<0.01 ) . There was also a significant decrease in PQOL ( P<0.05 ) and a trend for increased pain ( P=0.07 ) and stress ( P=0.12 ) , at follow-up compared to the end of the 9-month trial . Finally , there was a significant negative correlation between pain at the conclusion of the RCT and exercise adherence over the 3-month follow-up period ( r=−0.91 ; P<0.01 ) . Conclusions : These findings emphasize the importance of continued exercise adherence to the maintenance of exercise-related increases in psychological well-being among individuals with SCI
Although there was a lack of consensus among the selected studies , the majority of them presented a strong correlation between physical activity and variables of quality of life and /or functional independence .
Thus , physical activity appears to have an important influence on social relationships , functional independence , psychological factors , and physical aspects , which can enhance quality of life and independence in the performance of daily activities
This study aim ed to perform a systematic review of studies that address the influence of physical activity on the quality of life and functional independence of adult individuals with spinal cord injury .