Background/Purpose: There are critically lacks of evidences in physical activity (PA) as well as the quality of life (QL) in different types of disabilities due to the limitation of a large sample size study. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences of PA levels and QL in Korean with different disabilities.
Method: A total of 283 individuals were participated [Age 36±13.7, 188 males & 95 females; 147 visual impairment (PVI), 12 brain injury, & 124 wheelchair users with physical disabilities (PPD)]. Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities (Washburn et al., 2000) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (Diener et al., 1985) were employed to examine the levels of PA and QL, respectively, utilizing two-way ANOVA following by the post-hoc, Sheffe.
Analysis/Results: There was no interaction effect between genders and disabilities and no statistical difference between genders on PA and QL. Among the type of disabilities, statistical differences was found in the level of PA, F=4.45 in moderate and F=14.16 in vigorous intensity, and F=11.92 in QL (all p<.05). From the post-hoc, PVI (time/week: 1.69±1.07 moderate, 1.88±1.12 vigorous) showed higher PA levels than PPD (1.37±.87 moderate, 1.20±.87 vigorous) as well as QL, 2.51±.27 vs. 2.68±.31 (the lower, the better), respectively.
Conclusions: Even though PVI showed higher PA level with higher QL than the other, PVI still showed lower level of PA based on PA guideline (2008). The promotion in PA is critically needed in the persons with disabilities considering on the type of disabilities, but not genders.