Abstract

Sociodemographic, psychologic, life-style, and fitness variables have been measured on 74 subjects who sustained a spinal cord injury 3 or more years previously. Stepwise multiple regression and discriminant function analyses have related this information to total productivity (occupation, leisure, and education). Eight variables (education, Barthels functional index, forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75 vital capacity (FEF 25-75), body mass, peak power output, lean body mass, motivation, and the frequency of medical appointments) account for 64 of the variance in total productivity. A discriminant function based on peak power output. FEF 25-75, lean body mass, and total body mass correctly classifies 80 of individuals with high and low levels of total productivity. Habitual activity shows a substantial correlation with aerobic power, but little relationship to productivity. It is suggested that the component of aerobic power describing productivity may be related to muscle mass and thus the ability to negotiate barriers to mobility. If this hypothesis is substantiated by longitudinal research, rehabilitation programs for paraplegics should include exercises to strengthen the shoulder muscles. Verf.-Referat