A project developing physical activity guidelines for people with a spinal cord injury (SCI) needs your votes for an Impact Award at Loughborough University’s Enterprise Awards. The project is a collaboration between researchers from the NCSEM-EM and the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport together with colleagues in Canada. The award recognises collaborative partnerships that deliver far-reaching economic, social and cultural benefit and is decided by a public vote.
Exercise is an important tool for improving wellbeing and enhancing independence, but many health professionals highlight a lack of clear guidance on how best to prescribe physical activity. More than 60,000 adults in the UK live with SCI, but outside elite disability sport, they are among the least active, putting many at risk of secondary health complications. The team – collaborating with an international panel of researchers, clinicians, community organisations, adults with SCI, and knowledge translation specialists – jointly devised a set of exercise guidelines which were launched at the International Spinal Cord Society Annual Meeting in 2017.
In addition to academic and news articles, infographics and Expert Statements, the guidelines have been shared via video, popular magazines and social media – greatly widening their reach and appeal. They have been warmly welcomed by healthcare professionals and users alike, and are now available in five additional languages on the sciguidelines.eu website.
The success of the project lies in its multinational team of people across the continuum of sport, exercise and rehabilitation. Together, they have challenged conventional thinking and delivered interventions co-produced with people with disabilities rather than for them – helping them to lead more active and fulfilling lives.
To find out more about the project please watch the short video below. To cast your vote visit the Loughborough University Enterprise Awards website.