Lower limb amputation (LLA) is a leading cause of disability worldwide, negatively affecting individuals’ mobility, social participation and quality of life. Following LLA, people often have reduced muscle strength, balance, and walking velocity, and greater metabolic energy cost during ambulation. Consequently, people have limited community walking ability and low physical activity levels which is associated with reduced quality of life and survival. There is evidence that exercise improves balance and mobility outcomes in people with LLA; however, people with LLA face barriers to participating in physical activity. In this talk, I will discuss the development of physical activity guidelines for people with LLA and our research co-designing physical activity interventions for this population.

Crystal MacKay is a health services researcher with a clinical background in physical therapy. She is an Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s Health Sciences at Queen’s University, an Affiliate Scientist at KITE Research Institute, University Health Network and has a status appointment as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. She is a Member of Connected Minds, a collaborative research initiative at Queen’s and York Universities and a Board Member on the International Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics Canada. Her research aims to improve the quality and accessibility of health care for people living with disability or chronic conditions, such as limb loss.