Article

This study tested whether persons with Recent Spinal Cord Injury (RSCI)
who practice adapted physical activities (APA) and those who do not differ with
regard to achievement goals, physical self-perceptions, and global self-esteem.
METHOD: Adults with RSCI in rehabilitation centers voluntarily completed
questionnaires of achievement goals and self-esteem.
Then, based on whether they
engaged or not in APA programs, they were considered participants or
non-participants in APA. RESULTS: Compared to participants in APA,
non-participants were more oriented toward mastery-avoidance goals and had lower
scores of physical self-worth and global self-esteem. No differences were found
for other achievement goals and for low-level dimensions of physical self.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that mastery-avoidance goals are associated
with a maladaptive motivational pattern when intrapersonal comparison conveys a
threat for the self. Practical implications for rehabilitation programs for
persons with RSCI are offered. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Adapted Physical
Activities (APA) programs are supervised physical activity programs in which the
choice of the activity as well as the frequency, the duration, and the intensity
of practice are adapted to the inpatients' capabilities. Attempts to master
physical activities can be seen as threatening experiences to be avoided by
persons with Recent Spinal Cord Injury (RSCI) in rehabilitation centers.
Comparing one's capabilities in physical activities with those of other persons
with RSCI is not motivationally detrimental with respect to the practice of these
activities. Upon persons with RSCI' arrival in rehabilitation centers, physical
educators should promote a friendly competitive climate in the practice of APA to
help inpatients recover healthy levels of physical self-perceptions and global
self-esteem as well as motivation to exercise.

Langue : ANGLAIS