• Cheri Blauwet, Supreetha Sudhakar, Ashley L Doherty, Eric Garshick, Ross Zafonte, and Leslie R Morse.
• Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
• Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2013 May 1; 92 (5): 393-401.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the association between participation in organized sports programs and employment in adults with chronic spinal cord injury.DesignThis is a cross-sectional study of 149 adults with chronic spinal cord injury. Motor level and completeness of injury were confirmed by physical examination. Information related to demographics, employment, level of education, body mass index, duration of injury, participation in individually planned exercise, and participation in organized sports was obtained using a standardized questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with employment.ResultsIn univariate analyses, employment was associated with younger age (P = 0.001) and a higher level of education (P = 0.01), whereas obesity decreased the likelihood of employment (P = 0.04). Participation in organized sports approached significance (P = 0.06). In the multivariable analysis and after adjusting for age, education, and body mass index, participation in organized sports was significantly associated with employment (odds ratio, 2.4; P = 0.04). Sex, duration of injury, wheelchair use, and participation in individually planned exercise were not significantly associated with employment (P = 0.16-0.94).ConclusionsIn the adults with chronic spinal cord injury, participation in organized sports was positively associated with employment. Further studies are necessary to determine the causative nature of this association and how various factors related to sports participation may contribute.

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