Self-Resistance Gymnastics and Physical Rehabilitation of Wheelchair-Disabled in Russia

Abstract

In the context of democratic processes in Russia the idea of social and physical rehabilitation of the handicapped has become more popular in society. A new concept of physical rehabilitation of disabled individuals has been developed [4]. Unfortunately the disabled population is increasing in Russia due to widespread use of automobiles, social instability, local wars etc. The overall proportion of spinal cord injured individuals and amputees in the community increases from year to year. In spite of the fact that there is much international scientific and clinical data demonstrating the vital importance of muscular activity and sport for rehabilitation of the disabled [7,11] very few institutions in Russia deal with the problem of fitness in special populations. Only a few years ago the first Russian research laboratory was organized in the All-Russia Research Institute of Physical Culture to conduct investigations in such areas as fitness, exercise, sport, and health promotion for disabled. At the moment the laboratory makes investigations in two main directions: a) physiological response to exercise (cardiorespiratory, endocrine and metabolic), and adaptation to muscular activity; b) elaboration of technical devices for physical rehabilitation of the disabled. Experimental data on acute cardiorespiratory, endocrine and metabolic responses to physical exercise in spinal cord injured patients obtained in our laboratory [9] gave preliminary information to start with a detailed description of the specific Russian disabled population.