SELF-ESTEEM IN PEOPLE WITH ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY ACCORDING TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

People with acquired brain injury (ABI) have long-term consequences and show low levels of physical activity (PA), presenting worse self-esteem. Nevertheless, it is proven that the practice of PA in people with ABI improve psychological dimension. The aim was to study if self-esteem in people with ABI in the chronic phase is influenced by PA practice. A quasi-experimental ex post facto design was used, where there were two groups:  PA group (n=50) and the sedentary group (n=49). The Rosenberg Scale was used to measure self-esteem. A descriptive analysis was carried out and the T test for independent samples was used. People who practice PA perceived better self-esteem and higher autonomy (p ≤0.05). Therefore, the practice of PA is recommended to improve self-esteem in people with ABI. Furthermore, having practiced PA before the ABI seems to be decisive for its subsequent practice