Possibilities of application fitness in physioteraphy in patients with spinal lesion

The number of persons who suffered spinal cord injuries, as well of physical therapists who are interested in exercising in a fitness centre and in other fitness activities. This fact results in integration of these activities into physical therapy programmes and therapeutic stays intended for persons with spinal cord lesion. Incorporation of fitness activities into physical therapy programmes is common particulary in the USA. The aim of this thesis was to study the influence and contribution of fitness activities for muscle disbalances in the area of the torso and for the posture with patients suffering from spinal cord lesion and futher to identify the possibilities of incorporating fitness activities into physical therapy programmes for wheelchair bound persons. With respect to the aim of thesis defined in this manner, I have summarized the fact on spinal cord lesions in relation to torso muscle disbalances with spinal cord lesion in the theoretical part of the theses. Subsequently, I have tried to collest the existing facts on fitness, including the definition of fitness, the importance of physical activities and muscle strengthening for wheelchair bound persons. I have also focused on basic principles, terms and exercises and I have analysed its incorporation into the exercise programmes for wheelchair bound persons. In the practical part of the thesis, I have used the qualitative casuistic-based research method. The research was carried out in the Rehafit Physical Therapy Centre in Prague. Two test persons were selected: a man and a woman with diagnosed spinal cord lesion. The woman has been diagnosed with Th11-12 paraplegia, the man has been diagnosed with C4-5 tetraplegia. Both patients with spinal cord lesion are of similar age and suffered the spinal cord injury approximately at the same time. With the observed patients, there has been an influence of muscle disbalance detected in the area of torso, inprovement of posture and stability of seated positions, increase of muscle power, as well as improvement of overall physical conditions. The results of the research show that incorporation of fitness activities into physical therapy programmes in the period following the period of termination of the intensive physical tehrapy has a undeniable imporatnce for patients with spinal cord lesion, particularly for affecting the posture and muscle disbalnces