Leisure-Time Physical Activity: Experiences of College Students With Disabilities.

College years are an experimental phase in young adulthood and can lay the foundation for lifelong behaviors. One type of behavior developed during these years is the use of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). LTPA experiences of typical college students have been examined, but there is a lack of studies examining the experiences of students with disabilities. The purpose of this inquiry is to understand the experiences of college students with disabilities and their LTPA, with focus on factors that facilitate or create barriers to engagement. Grounded theory was used to understand LTPA with undergraduates with mobility or visual impairments. Results indicated a theme of culture of physical activity and disability as they received a message that engagement in LTPA was "unnecessary" or "heroic," which altered their LTPA experiences. Barriers to LTPA can be understood through a social relational lens to recognize the multidimensionality of barriers and facilitators to LTPA.

Safety and feasibility of an early mobilization program for patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Survivors of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) are faced with a complicated recovery, which typically includes surgery, prolonged monitoring in the intensive care unit, and treatment focusing on the prevention of complications. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of an early mobilization program for patients with aneurysmal SAH. DESIGN: This study was a retrospective analysis. METHODS: Twenty-five patients received early mobilization by a physical therapist or an occupational therapist, or both, which focused on functional training and therapeutic exercise in more progressively upright positions. Participation criteria focused on neurologic and physiologic stability prior to the initiation of early mobilization program sessions. RESULTS: Patients met the criteria for participation in 86.1% of the early mobilization program sessions attempted. Patients did not meet criteria for the following reasons: Lindegaard ratio >3.0 or middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean flow velocity (MFV) >120 cm/s (8.1%), mean arterial pressure (MAP) <80 mm Hg (1.8%), intracranial pressure (ICP) >15 mm Hg (1.8%), unable to open eyes in response to voice (0.9%), respiratory rate >40 breaths/min (0.6%), MAP >110 mm Hg (0.3%), and heart rate <40 bpm (0.3%). Adverse events occurred in 5.9% of early mobilization program sessions for the following reasons: MAP <70 mm Hg (3.1%) or >120 mm Hg (2.4%) and heart rate >130 bpm (0.3%). The 30-day mortality rate for all patients was 0%. Participation in the early mobilization program began a mean of 3.2 days (SD=1.3) after aneurysmal SAH, and patients received an average of 11.4 sessions (SD=4.3). Patients required a mean of 5.4 days (SD=4.2) to participate in out-of-bed activity and a mean of 10.7 days (SD=6.2) to walk ≥15.24 m (50 ft). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that an early mobilization program for patients with aneurysmal SAH is safe and feasible.

Recreational planning: an important component of career counseling for people with disabilities.

Participation in recreational activities is a critical component of the career development process, providing opportunities for individuals to explore their interests and to develop work-related skills. Recreational participation also offers a healthy outlet for dealing with job-related and other life stressors. People with disabilities are often excluded from participation in recreational activities because of a multitude of barriers. This exclusion can seriously impede the career development of these individuals. This article explores the importance of recreational planning as part of the vocational rehabilitation process. The authors define inclusive recreation and discuss the implications of recreational planning in the various phases of rehabilitation.