Athlete-Perceived Impact of Frame Running on Physical Fitness, Functional Mobility and Psychosocial Outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v53.1393Keywords:
physical activity, exercise, para-sport, sports for people with disabilities, cerebral palsy, physical fitness, surveys and questionnairesAbstract
Objective: Frame Running (RaceRunning) allows people with moderate-to-severe mobility impairments to participate in physical activity using a 3-wheeled frame with a saddle and handlebars. The aim of this study was to investigate athlete-perceived impact of Frame Running on aspects of physical fitness, functional mobility and psychosocial outcomes.
Design: Survey.
Participants: Frame Running athletes aged 5 years and over.
Methods: A survey was distributed to athletes through their club or sports organization.
Results: The survey was completed by 115 athletes (53 females). Median age was 17 years (range 5–62 years) and 64 (57%) used a wheelchair or walker for distances over 50 m. Many felt that Frame Running stretched their muscles (n = 93, 87%) and increased their self-confidence (n = 63, 93%). Four (4%) reported extreme fatigue or sore muscles after training (n = 17, 15%). Of the 110 athletes who had been participating in Frame Running for over 3 months, 46 (47%) reported being less out of breath during mobility tasks and 66 (66%) felt they had improved their functional mobility. However, 7 (7%) reported increased muscle tightness and 4 (4%) reported a Frame Running-related injury lasting more than 4 weeks.
Conclusion: Frame Running is a safe physical activity with athlete-perceived benefits on physical fitness, functional mobility and psychosocial outcomes.
Lay abstract
Frame Running (RaceRunning) allows people with moderate-to-severe walking difficulties to walk or run independently using a 3-wheeled frame with a saddle and handlebars. In this study 115 Frame Running athletes living in the UK, Sweden or the Netherlands and aged 5 years or over (or their parents) completed a survey about taking part in Frame Running. More than half used a wheelchair or walker for distances over 50 m. Most felt that Frame Running stretched their muscles and increased their self-confidence. Four athletes perceived extreme fatigue and 17 reported sore muscles after training. Approximately half of the athletes reported that they were less out of breath during mobility tasks (walking, standing) and two thirds reported better functional mobility since they had started Frame Running. Injuries lasting more than 4 weeks were reported by 4 athletes. We conclude that Frame Running is a safe activity with the potential to improve physical fitness, functional mobility, and self-confidence.
Downloads
References
English C, Manns PJ, Tucak C, Bernhardt J. Physical activity and sedentary behaviors in people with stroke living in the community: a systematic review. Phys Ther 2014; 94:185-196.
https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20130175 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20130175
Casey B, Coote S, Galvin R, Donnelly A. Objective physical activity levels in people with multiple sclerosis: meta-analysis. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2018; 28:1960-1969.
https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13214 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13214
Carlon SL, Taylor NF, Dodd KJ, Shields N. Differences in habitual physical activity levels of young people with cerebral palsy and their typically developing peers: a systematic review. Disabil Rehabil 2013; 35: 647-655.
https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2012.715721 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2012.715721
Ryan JM, Crowley VE, Hensey O, Broderick JM, McGahey A, Gormley J. Habitual physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults with cerebral palsy. Res Dev Disabil 2014; 35: 1995-2002.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2014.03.051 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2014.03.051
Ryan JM, Hensey O, McLoughlin B, Lyons A, Gormley J. Reduced moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and increased sedentary behavior are associated with elevated blood pressure values in children with cerebral palsy. Phys Ther 2014; 94: 1144-1153.
https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20130499 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20130499
Marrie RA, Reingold S, Cohen J, Stuve O, Trojano M, Soelberg Sorensen P, et al. The incidence and prevalence of psychiatric disorders in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review. Mult Scler 2015; 21: 305-317.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1352458514564487 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1352458514564487
Jacobson DN, Löwing K, Tedroff K. Health-related quality of life, pain, and fatigue in young adults with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 2020; 62: 372-378.
https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14413 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14413
Lai B, Young H, Bickel CS, Motl RW, Rimmer JH. Current trends in exercise intervention research, technology, and behavioral change strategies for people with disabilities: a scoping review. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2017; 96: 748-761.
https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000000743 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000000743
George CL, Oriel KN, Blatt PJ, Marchese V. Impact of a community-based exercise program on children and adolescents with disabilities. J Allied Health 2011; 40: e55-e60.
Bloemen MA, Backx FJ, Takken T, Wittink H, Benner J, Mollema J, et al. Factors associated with physical activity in children and adolescents with a physical disability: a systematic review. Dev Med Child Neurol 2015; 57: 137-148.
https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.12624 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.12624
Slaman J, van den Berg-Emons HJG, van Meeteren J, Twisk J, van Markus F, Stam HJ, et al. A lifestyle intervention improves fatigue, mental health and social support among adolescents and young adults with cerebral palsy: focus on mediating effects. Clin Rehabil 2015; 29: 717-727.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215514555136 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215514555136
Ryan JM, Cassidy EE, Noorduyn SG, O'Connell NE. Exercise interventions for cerebral palsy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017; 6: CD011660.
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011660.pub2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011660.pub2
Verschuren O, Peterson MD, Balemans AC, Hurvitz EA. Exercise and physical activity recommendations for people with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 2016; 58: 798-808.
https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.13053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.13053
van der Linden ML, Jahed S, Tennant N, Verheul MHG. The influence of lower limb impairments on Frame Running performance in athletes with hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis. Gait Posture 2018; 61: 362-367.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.02.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2018.02.004
Bolster EA, Dallmeijer AJ, de Wolf GS, Versteegt M, Schie PE. Reliability and construct validity of the 6-Minute Racerunner Test in children and youth with cerebral palsy, GMFCS Levels III and IV. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr 2017; 37: 210-221.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2016.1185502 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01942638.2016.1185502
Hjalmarsson E, Fernandez-Gonzalo R, Lidbeck C, Palmcrantz A, Jia A, Kvist O, et al. Frame Running training improves stamina and promotes skeletal muscle hypertrophy in young individuals with cerebral palsy. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020; 21: 193.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03202-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03202-8
Reedman SE, Boyd RN, Trost SG, Elliott C, Sakzewski L. Efficacy of participation-focused therapy on performance of physical activity participation goals and habitual physical activity in children with cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2019; 100: 676-686.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2018.11.012 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2018.11.012
Lauruschkus K, Nordmark E, Hallström I. "It's fun, but …" Children with cerebral palsy and their experiences of participation in physical activities. Disabil Rehabil 2015; 37: 283-289.
https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2014.915348 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/09638288.2014.915348
Al-Sharman A, Khalil H, El-Salem K, Aldughmi M, Aburub A. The effects of aerobic exercise on sleep quality measures and sleep-related biomarkers in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis: a pilot randomised controlled trial. NeuroRehabilitation 2019; 45: 107-115.
https://doi.org/10.3233/NRE-192748 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/NRE-192748
Edwards T, Pilutti LA. The effect of exercise training in adults with multiple sclerosis with severe mobility disability: a systematic review and future research directions. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2017; 16: 31-39.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2017.06.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2017.06.003
World Health Organization. (2001). International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: ICF. Geneva: World Health Organization. [accessed January 18, 2022] Available from: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42407.
Graham HK, Harvey A, Rodda J, Nattrass GR, Pirpiris M. The Functional Mobility Scale (FMS). J Pediatr Orthop 2004; 24: 514-520.
https://doi.org/10.1097/01241398-200409000-00011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/01241398-200409000-00011
Nilsagård Y, Lundholm C, Denison E, Gunnarsson LG. Predicting accidental falls in people with multiple sclerosis - a longitudinal study. Clin Rehabil 2009; 23: 259-269.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215508095087 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0269215508095087
Yates JS, Lai SM, Duncan PW, Studenski S. Falls in community-dwelling stroke survivors: an accumulated impairments model. J Rehabil Res Dev 2002; 39: 385-394.
Plante TG, Lantis A, Checa G. The Influence of perceived versus aerobic fitness on psychological health and physiological stress responsivity. Int J Stress Manag 1998; 5: 141-156.
https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022936930992 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022936930992
Shimmell LJ, Gorter JW, Jackson D, Wright M, Galuppi B. "It's the participation that motivates him": physical activity experiences of youth with cerebral palsy and their parents. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr 2013; 33: 405-420.
https://doi.org/10.3109/01942638.2013.791916 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/01942638.2013.791916
Dodd KJ, Taylor NF, Damiano DL. A systematic review of the effectiveness of strength-training programs for people with cerebral palsy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2002; 83: 1157-1164.
https://doi.org/10.1053/apmr.2002.34286 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/apmr.2002.34286
Steele KM, Damiano DL, Eek MN, Unger M, Delp SL. Characteristics associated with improved knee extension after strength training for individuals with cerebral palsy and crouch gait. J Pediatr Rehabil Med 2012; 5: 99-106.
https://doi.org/10.3233/PRM-2012-0201 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3233/PRM-2012-0201
Tuakli-Wosornu YA, Mashkovskiy E, Ottesen T, Gentry M, Jensen D, Webborn N. Acute and chronic musculoskeletal injury in para sport: a critical review. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2018; 29: 205-243.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2018.01.014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2018.01.014
Frame Running coaches manual, 2017. [accessed January 18, 2022] Available from: https://framerunning.org/media/1133/Frame Running-coaches-manual.pdf.
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2022 Marietta L. van der Linden, Petra E.M. van Schie, Emma Hjalmarsson, Georgia Andreopoulou, Martine H.G. Verheul, Ferdinand Von Walden
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All digitalized JRM contents is available freely online. The Foundation for Rehabilitation Medicine owns the copyright for all material published until volume 40 (2008), as from volume 41 (2009) authors retain copyright to their work and as from volume 49 (2017) the journal has been published Open Access, under CC-BY-NC licences (unless otherwise specified). The CC-BY-NC licenses allow third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material for non-commercial purposes, provided proper attribution to the original work.
From 2024, articles are published under the CC-BY licence. This license permits sharing, adapting, and using the material for any purpose, including commercial use, with the condition of providing full attribution to the original publication.
