Physical activity participation amongst individuals with lower limb amputation

Abstract

Purpose: To examine physical activity participation amongst individuals with lower limb amputation.

Method: Adults with lower limb amputation were convenience-sampled from a major metropolitan hospital outpatient amputee service and completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results: Seventy-two individuals (65% male), mean age 53.6 (SD = 16.8) years, who were 10.8 (SD = 12.6) years post amputation (60% transtibial) participated in the study. Thirty-eight percent of participants (n = 27) undertook “high” levels, 26% (n = 19) undertook “moderate” levels, and 36% (n = 26) undertook “low” levels of physical activity but cumulative activity levels were low. Participants most commonly undertook domestic-related activities (n = 53, 74%) and moderate-intensity activities (n = 54, 75%). Physical activity levels were found to be significantly lower amongst individuals who did not work, individuals with dysvascular amputation and individuals who lived with others. Physical activity levels showed a weak, significant, correlation to age (r_s (70) = −0.259, p = 0.028) and time post amputation (r_s (70) = 0.237, p = 0.049).

Conclusion: This study provides clinicians with information about physical activity participation amongst individuals with lower limb amputation. The majority of participants in this study (n = 44, 61%) did not accumulate sufficient “total physical activity” to be classified as “sufficiently active” and 33% (n = 24) of participants were classified as “sedentary”.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Regular physical activity participation is associated with many health benefits.

• This study found the majority of individuals with lower limb amputation (61%) did not undertake sufficient total physical activity to be classified as “sufficiently active”.

• Health professionals working in rehabilitation can play an important role in encouraging individuals to increase physical activity participation.

• The study’s findings may guide health professionals on where to direct their focus to promote increased physical activity participation amongst individuals with lower limb amputation.

Keywords:

• Physical activity
• amputation
• lower extremity

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the staff at the Royal Melbourne Hospital Amputee Service who assisted with participant recruitment and also the participants who took part in the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Melbourne Health provided the funding for stationary and photocopying used in the study.