What we do
About our project
Unfavorable
Physical behavior in ambulatory people with spinal cord injury Recent research by Rijndam and Erasmus MC showed unfavorable physical behavior in a part of ambulatory people with spinal cord injury (SCI) after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. This is known to have negative consequences on functioning and health. Currently, in contrast to wheelchair dependent people with SCI, there is no established treatment to support ambulatory people with SCI to achieve healthy physical behavior.
Project aims
As the strain of walking may play an important role in physical behavior in this group, the primary aim of this study is to analyze whether this strain is an important determinant of physical behavior in ambulatory people with SCI. Secondly, we will analyze the level physical fitness, the strain of walking in daily life, other determinants of physical behavior and the relation between physical behavior and health, participation and quality of life.
Measurements
Several measurements are performed in 80 ambulatory people with SCI to answer the research questions, including the oxygen consumption during walking, a cardiopulmonary exercise test and accelerometry based physical activity in the home setting.
Our research focus
Our team
Marthe Langerwerf, MsC
Physiotherapist and PhD candidate
Rita van den Berg, PhD
Senior researcher
Rutger Osterthun, MD, PhD
Senior researcher and PRM Physician
Contact us
Rutger Osterthun:r.osterthun@erasmusmc.nl
