Sport Practices Effects on Quality of Life, Mental Behavior and Self-Esteem in Cerebral Palsy Hemiplegia

Sofien Kasmi^1,2, Amri Hammami³, Raouf Hammami², Michael Duncan, J.⁴, Cain Clark, C. T.⁴, Sirine, B. Amor¹, Fatma Zohra BenSalah^2,5,6 & Catherine Dziri^1,5,6

¹Department of Posturology and Functional Rehabilitation, National Center of Medicine and Sports Sciences of Tunis, Tunisia
²Higher Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Ksar Said, Tunis, Tunisia
³Laboratory of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Ibnjazar, Sousse, Tunisia
⁴Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Alison Gingell, Coventry University, UK
⁵Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Institute of Orthopady M.T Kassab, La Manouba, Tunisia
⁶Faculty of Medicine of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia

Dr. Catherine Dziri, Department of Posturology and Functional Rehabilitation, National Center of Medicine and Sports Sciences, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Institute of Orthopady M.T Kassab, Tunisia.

Keywords: Sport; Hemiplegia; Health; Trained

Abstract

Despite the known health benefits of regular participation in physical activity, people with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy (HCP) tend to participate less than their typically developing peers. The purpose of this study is to highlight the effect of sport practice on general health quality of life, mental behavior and self-esteem in hemiplegics group practicing regular sports (TRAINED) compared to a control group (CONTROL). Forty subjects (20 males and 20 females) with spastic hemiplegia completed the SF-36 survey (SF-36 Medical Outcome Study Short-Form Health Survey). The results showed significant differences in most of the Quality of Life (QoL) criteria including “limitations in physical activities due to health problems, restrictions on usual activities because of physical health problems, general mental health, vitality, limitations in social activities due to physical or emotional problems, and perception of general health” with positive results for TRAINED compared with CONTROL.

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