Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study to determine whether certain factors can affect physical activity levels lower-limb prosthesis users, as it may not be especially clear what these factors are and which factors are more important.
The study included 108 people with unilateral lower-limb amputations between the ages of 18 and 80 years old who could walk 30 minutes independently and had used a lower-limb prosthesis for at least six months. Physical activity levels were measured with a 3D accelerometer on two days of the week as well as one day on the weekend, and eight factors were evaluated to examine the relation to physical activity.
Physical activity level was associated with ambulation capacity, but not related to age, body mass index, amputation level, the reason for amputation, pain, psychosocial adjustment, or prosthesis satisfaction.
Change in the Two-Minute Walk Test, used to determine the participants’ ambulation capacity, was the most important determinant of physical activity level, the study found, and may be used as a predictive factor for physical activity.
The researchers concluded that the association between walking capacity and physical activity level suggests that rehabilitation strategies targeting improvements in walking capacity may support higher activity levels and overall well-being for those who use lower-limb prosthetic devices.
