Presentation Abstract

Physical Activity and Wheelchair Users: What are We Going to Do about the State of the Science?

The wheelchair user population is experiencing poorer health outcomes, is at greater risk for chronic diseases, and has a higher likelihood of being obese than persons without disability. Regular physical activity is widely recognized as having health benefits. However, wheelchair users remain one of the least physically active populations in the United States, and those who are active often are not experiencing the health-related benefits.

For decades, researchers have been working diligently to provide an evidence base for physical activity specific to wheelchair users. Through this work, much has been learned, including barriers to participating in physical activity, mechanisms to better describe metabolic and physiologic implications of physical activity, and possible impacts of physical activity on psychosocial outcomes. However, to date, in many areas our research is not conclusive, and wheelchair users still are not actively engaged in regular physical activity.

I have experienced the barriers to accessing and participating in physical activity as a person with disability, a practicing occupational therapist, and a rehabilitation researcher. In my presentation, I will present my experiences from these three different perspectives. I’ll touch on the challenges of becoming engaged in physical activity, experiencing health-related benefits once engaged, conducting research to create an evidence base, and obstacles to implementing evidence-based interventions and approaches. Further, I will bring to the discussion issues that will, hopefully, lead to further discussion of where we as a community wish to go with our research, and what we want it to look like when we are successful.

About Dr. Morgan

Kerri Morgan received both a Master of Science degree in occupational therapy and a Ph.D. in movement science from Washington University. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Morgan is currently an Assistant Professor for the Program in Occupational Therapy and Neurology at Washington University School of Medicine. She is actively involved in conducting research and mentoring students. The focus of her clinical and research career has been to generate empirical knowledge helpful for guiding rehabilitation to improve the participation of people with mobility disabilities once they have been discharged from rehabilitation and are living in the community. Her work has ranged from community-based studies to basic mechanistic studies focused on preventing secondary conditions and improving overall health. In addition, she is deeply involved in the community working with disability organizations to promote health and wellness for people with disabilities. Dr. Morgan is also an avid wheelchair athlete. In 2009, she was the first woman to be selected to represent the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby National team. She has competed in three Paralympic Games on the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field team that included Beijing in 2008, London in 2012, and Rio in 2016. She has won 4 Paralympic medals and 10 World Championship medals in distances ranging from 100m to 800m.

Dr. Morgan did not disclose any conflicts of interest for this workshop.