In addition, we would like to thank all the authors, anonymous reviewers, Section Editors, Associate Editors, and Guest Editors who have worked to support the field of therapeutic recreation through contributing to the body of knowledge and working with contributors to maintain the excellent quality of publications in the TRJ. Without you, the journal could not continue and the field of TR would be lessened as a result.

Finally, in this issue, we would like to extend our appreciation to Dr. Lynn Anderson who acted as a Guest Editor for the two manuscripts by Hood and Carruthers. Dr. Anderson’s willingness to step in to this role assures the integrity of the review process and the credibility of the journal. Thank you!

Copyright National Recreation and Park Association Fourth Quarter 2007
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

Traditions is a valuable book written with caregivers in mind. Author Janelle Sellick leads the caregiver through a series of exercises intended to improve the quality of life for those in care giving relationships. The exercises in the book encourage both parties to develop or rekindle a quality leisure lifestyle while continuing to provide the highest level of care.

Traditions is an eye opening reminder for caregivers in understanding the importance of leisure activities in their lives and those they care for. Leisure activities may become neglected in a care giving relationship due to the overwhelming activities of daily living and changes a loved one is experiencing. Caregivers often disregard their own leisure and may be unsure of how to provide quality leisure for the loved one they are caring for. Traditions is a user friendly guide that assists both parties to create a better quality of life through participation in wellness activities. The author outlines the following as domains of wellness: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual, and vocational. When a person successfully participates in a variety of wellness activities this leads to a higher quality of life.

In the introduction the author describes the book as a “journey toward self discovery related to your own quality of life as well as the quality of life for the person you provide care for.”

Chapter one encourages readers to explore their attitudes and values in relation to quality of life. The exercises in this chapter lead readers to think about how pleasurable activities can counteract the stressful events in your life. The second chapter deals with problem solving and planning where readers are given exercises to identify and overcome barriers to participation including time money guilt etc. Chapter three provides motivational strategies for participation in life activities and outlines strategies for a caregiver to motivate their lived one to participate in activities and have fun together. Chapter four offers therapeutic interventions for quality life including each dimension of wellness and a list of suggested ideas and benefits for the participant. The fifth chapter discusses adapting activities and activities for success and finally the sixth chapter leads the reader to assess resources for wellness.

The challenges and stress involved in caring for a loved one can greatly impact quality of life; the exercises and information in this book allow the caregiver to understand the importance of leisure activities and how to set goals for successful participation. Also care givers will develop a better understanding of the importance of leisure in their own life and will be able to provide better care when they are experiencing a higher quality life themselves. The benefits for the person receiving care may include feelings of increased confidence, independence, and decreased depression. Finding leisure activities that care givers and receivers can enjoy together allows the care giving relationship to remain positive and well balanced. The exercises in the book allow the reader to explore and improve shared and individual leisure time between caregivers and persons receiving care ultimately leading to both parties enjoying a higher quality life together.

Reviewed by: Jessica Daily, CTRS.

Copyright National Recreation and Park Association Fourth Quarter 2007
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved

KEY WORDS: recreational therapy, stroke, functional independence, FIM, efficacy research

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability and a leading cause of death among Americans (Williams, Weinberger, Harris, Clark, & Biller, 1999). According to the American Stroke Association (n.d.), approximately 700,000 Americans experience a stroke each year, and approximately 157,000 of these people die as a result. Of the more than halfmillion people annually who survive stroke, various therapeutic interventions are recommended to remediate the cognitive and physical effects. Among the professionals treating people who have experienced stroke are Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS’s).

No data exist confirming the precise number of CTRS’s treating people who have experienced stroke. However, stroke occurs most often in older adults (National Stroke Association, 2006), a population served by more than a quarter of CTRS’s (NCTRC, n.d.). Thus it can be reasonably assumed that stroke represents a significant number of clients of recreational therapy (RT) services.

Calls for efficacy research in RT are longstanding, and these calls typically include a focus on functional independence. In 1991, Shank and Kinney suggested that RT researchers focus on outcomes that could be appreciated by health care professionals both in and outside of RT. Shank, Kinney, and Coyle (1993) suggested a research agenda for the profession that included a focus on functional abilities. These suggested were further elaborated by Shank, Coyle, Boyd, and Kinney (1996) who recommended that RT researchers place their research within the larger context of rehabilitation and focus at least part of their efforts on the effects of recreational therapy on functional limitations. Carruthers (1997) reported results of a survey of RT practitioners and educators. Results confirmed that survey respondents valued efficacy research related to, among other health care priorities, effects of RT services on independent functioning. Wilhite, Keller, Collins, and Jacobson (1996) investigated the research priorities of recreational therapists and reported that effects of RT on functional independence was among the five highest priorities of RT professionals. Recently, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) published a research agenda identifying five target areas for efficacy research (ATRA, 2004). Two of these areas are directly related to stroke: (a) functional mobility and (b) obesity and active lifestyles. Stroke often negatively affects the functional mobility of people (Green, Forster, Bogle, & Young, 2002), and both obesity (Suk et al., 2003) and physically inactive lifestyles (Sacco et al., 1998) are risk factors for stroke.

To determine effects of an intervention on functional abilities, practitioners and researchers in rehabiUtation rely on several different high-quality assessment instruments. One of the more common assessment tools used to evaluate the functional abilities of people who have experienced stroke is the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) (Deutsch, Braun, & Granger, 1997). The FIM is a quantitative assessment instrument that yields cognition, motor and total scores of functional independence of people with a variety of disabilities, illnesses, and conditions. Results of the FIM can be used by practitioners and researchers to demonstrate functional change.

Despite the frequency with which CTRS’s treat people who have experienced stroke and the call to relevant efficacy research issued by numerous RT scholars and professional organizations, relatively Utile research has been done into the effects of RT services on functional skills deficits resulting from stroke. To date, there have been no large-scale studies published describing effects of RT on the functional independence of people who have experienced stroke. However, research in other fields support further investigation of the contribution of RT to the rehabilitation process.

There is a large volume of research into the effects of the rehabilitation following stroke that either directly or indirectly suggests that RT can be an effective contributing intervention. Several researchers have used meta-analyses to summarize known effects. For instance, Ottenbacher and Jannell’s (1993) meta-analysis included 36 clinical trials. The researchers concluded that stroke rehabilitation was effective at improving functional performance, particularly when started soon after a stroke occured. Langhorne and Duncan (2001) conducted a meta-analysis of research into models of care following stroke and concluded that when compared to alternate models (e.g., treatment in a general hospital ward), multidisciplinary stroke rehabilitation reduced the risk of mortality, long-term dependence, and institutionalization. Kwakkel et al.’s metaanalysis (2004) of the effects of therapeutic exercise following stroke demonstrated significant improvement in activities of daily living as a result of the intervention.

First step is to take inventory of your backcountry interests. What is your favorite outdoor activity? Is it fishing, rock climbing, bird watching, hiking, camping, canoeing, hunting, skiing, classifying plants, kayaking, horseback riding or something else? Take a few minutes to really understand what excites you about being off the pavement and in the backcountry. Once you have pictured yourself engaging in your favorite outdoor recreation, you’re ready for step two.

The second step towards becoming a backcountry hero is to do a little research. If you love to hike, perhaps spending some time researching the American Hiking Society and some of its projects make sense to you. If bird watching is your thing, BirdLife International may be worth looking into. The easiest way for many to do research is on the internet. But don’t forget about book stores, libraries or sport specific organizations like the ones just mentioned. A more comprehensive list can be found on-line in our Education Center at www.backcountrytoys.com.

As you do your research, keep your eyes open for projects in your area. You’ll be amazed at how you will be able to make a difference right where you live. Only one step to go.

Up to this point you’ve identified a subject, you’ve research it and now it’s time to get moving and this is most critical step. I doesn’t take much time or effort to take action. In fact, there are organizations all around the world looking for you to volunteer and they all have active lists of projects that could use your talents. If you have a hiking vacation planned, why not incorporate a small project into your trip? Maybe a letter needs to be written to your legislator or perhaps you could pick up trash along a local lake shore. There’s lots to be done.

Spending time in the backcountry doing the things you love to do is made sweeter when you help to protect, conserve and enhance your activity. We have great trail systems and great river and lake systems and all because of people like us, who take the time to improve those things we love so much. With just a little action, you will be an outdoor hero. Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time.

Get Outdoors!

One of the most basic steps that you can put into action and see an immediate improvement to your golf swing is to keep your head still and look straight at the ball. The position of your head should be straight in line with your spine, and your nose should be raised up a bit so that when you start to swing, your left shoulder fits under your chin. Many players tuck their heads into their chests to try and keep their heads still and look straight down at the golf ball. Unfortunately, they cannot perform a proper golf swing while in this position.

If you are one of the many that are having difficulty keeping your head straight and an eye on the ball try the following. The next time you approach the ball, assume the correct stance with your feet and knees in position but keep your head and back straight, bend forward slightly at the waist and look straight at the ball. If you try and take a swing in this position, your left shoulder will most likely hit your chin. While keeping your eyes on the ball, raise your head slowly until your left shoulder does not hit your chin. Make sure that your head does not move from side to side by keeping your eyes fixed on the ball. Slowly go through the backswing and downswing portions of your golf swing. Do not hit the ball and do the follow through. Practice this portion of your golf swing focusing on keeping your head straight and eyes on the ball.

Practice this exercise in your backyard for about 25 times in a row and then take a break and relax a bit, then start again. Make minor corrections to your head and body position as needed to keep your eyes straight on the ball and your left shoulder from hitting your chin. This exercise will “train” your body, and your muscles will “remember” the correct position you need to be in to perform the movement correctly. Think about any sports athlete, they train and train to place their bodies in the correct stance and position to properly execute the movements necessary to be successful in their particular sport. You are doing the same thing by “training” your body to keep your head straight and position itself so that you can successfully execute a proper golf swing.

Another basic step that can work greatly towards improving your golf swing is to relax. I know it is easier said then done, especially when you are getting ready to put all your power into drive with an audience of either your co-workers, or better still your friends who will not let you forget it if you mess up. However, relaxing your muscles will help you to maintain the proper balance that is important to a great golf swing. Regardless of the golf clubs you use, your balance is the primary foundation of your golf swing, and the way to achieve good balance is to practice. A good way to practice improving your balance is to assume the address position with your club, relax your body and try holding it there for about 30 seconds. Does it feel like you have more weight on one foot or the other? Is one part of your body more tense then another?

Keeping your head straight and maintaining good balance are just two basic parts of a great golf swing. The exercises given above are just two ways that you can start training now to improve your golf swing. You can work on either one separately, or combine them together into one exercise. Improving your golf swing begins and ends with you. Training the muscles of your body to properly perform specific movements takes time and practice. The effort spent improving your golf swing will pay off on the course. Through exercise and practice, you will be able to slip into the proper address position and perform an effortless, powerful golf swing and feel just as if you were sliding your hand into a warm soft glove.