Our research

Physical activity and exercise are the mainstays of chronic disease prevention and health maintenance for all people with and without a disability. Participation in organized sports, competitive as well as non-competitive, is one way for people with a disability to engage in regular physical activity and exercise and at the same time enjoy the social aspects of meeting with people.

In our research, we study the effects of physical activity and exercise for people with disabilities. We use both qualitative and quantitative methods to improve our understanding of factors that contribute to safe participation in physical activity, exercise, and organized sports. Furthermore, we study the epidemiology of injuries and illnesses that may occur when participating in physical activity, exercise, and sports. At the national and international level, we are also involved in projects studying athletes participating in elite sports and those participating in the Winter and Summer Paralympic Games.

Aims

With our project, we aim to understand:

• the effects of physical activity, exercise, and sports for people with disabilities (in particular neurologic)

• wich factors that contribute to safe participation in physical activity, exercise, and sports for people with disabilities

• the epidemiology of injuries and illnesses that may occur when participating in physical activity, exercise, and sports among people with disabilities

• the short- and long-term consequences of head injuries in sports and how these post-concussive symptoms can be treated among people with and without disabilities

Impact

Our research will lead to evidence-based recommendations about safe participation in physical activity, exercise, and sports for people with disabilities. Our research will also lead to evidence-based recommendations on how to treat and rehabilitate injuries and illnesses that occur due to participation in regular physical activity, exercise, and sports.

How our research contributes to CoPARLU

Our research focuses on people with disabilities and we are one of few research groups internationally that cover all aspects from regular physical activity and exercise to elite sports. Our research group will thereby contribute specifically with scientific knowledge and research methods related to a large group of people in our society.