1040 - Recreational Participation Among Lower Extremity Veteran Amputees

Objectives: Our study analyzed exercise, recreation/leisure participation, and quality of life in veterans with lower extremity amputation.

Design: A cross-sectional study was performed with a survey distributed to veterans prior to initial or follow-up amputee clinic visit. Veterans were asked goals for their prosthesis, presence of diabetes, smoking, and exercise habits, including frequency/type of exercise, current leisure/recreation activities, and interest in learning about recreation/adaptive sports.

Results: Twenty-seven participants were included (100% male veterans). The average age of patients was 65 years (SD = 14.73). 70% (19/27) of patients had a unilateral below knee amputation. The etiology of amputation was traumatic in 22.2% (6/27) and vascular/infectious in 77.8% (19/27) of patients. 74% (20/27) of patients used an assistive device with the prosthetic for functional mobility. The most common goal among amputees was to walk (52%), while 26% wanted to participate in sports and ambulate. Despite these goals, 52% (14/27) of amputees did not engage in regular exercise, though a majority (67%, 18/27) were interested in learning more about recreation/leisure activities. Among those who did exercise, the two most common forms were walking (31%) and weightlifting (23%). The average quality of life (QOL) score was 5.88 out of 10. There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between average QOL and involvement in recreation/leisure activities.

Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that most veteran lower-extremity amputees do not engage in regular physical activity, despite a majority having interest in exposure to recreation/leisure activities. While the sample size is limited, our study results do show a higher proportion of amputees regularly participating in exercise compared to percentages stated in current literature (Bragaru et. al 2011; PMID: 21846162). Our aim is to increase sample size to assess for any statistically-significant association between reason for amputation and QOL with participation in recreational/leisure activities.