Abstract
Background: Various combinations of training intensity, duration and frequency are often proposed to people with spinal cord injuries in order to improve their fitness. However, no consensus about a specific training program has been reached for such a population.
Objective: This study investigated the effects of a short interval training program specifically designed for patients with spinal cord injuries.
Methods: Paraplegic men performed 30-min wheelchair ergometry three times per week, for 4 weeks. Maximal dynamic performance and endurance capacity were studied before and after the training program with an incremental test (10 W/2 min) until volitional fatigue and a constant work rate test, respectively. Cardiorespiratory responses were continuously studied during each of these tests.
Results: Training induced significant improvement in maximal tolerated power (+27.9%), and in peak oxygen consumption (V̇O2, +18.5%). After training the subjects were able to maintain the load applied during the constant test (total mechanical work +210.7%), for a significantly longer time. The heart rate, V̇O2 and ventilation values observed when the volunteers ended their first constant load test were significantly higher (+10%, +10%, +40% respectively) than those obtained after a similar time period during the second constant load test which was performed after the training program.
Conclusion: After this short training period, with an appropriate combination of different types of training, duration, intensity and frequency exercises, we observed a significant improvement in the fitness level and endurance capacity of paraplegic subjects.
Spinal Cord (2001) 39, 532–537.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Cowell LL, Squires WG, Raven PB . Benefits of aerobic exercise for the paraplegic: a brief review Med Sci Sports Exerc 1986 18: 501–508
Le CT, Price M . Survival from spinal cord injury J Chronic Dis 1982 35: 487–492
Hoffman MD . Cardiorespiratory fitness and training in quadriplegics and paraplegics Sports Med 1986 3: 312–330
Pollock ML, et al. Arm pedalling as an endurance training regimen for the disabled Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1974 55: 418–424
Nilsson S, Staff PH, Pruett ED . Physical work capacity and the effect of training on subjects with long-standing paraplegia Scand J Rehabil Med 1975 7: 51–56
Taylor AW, McDonell E, Brassard L . The effects of an arm ergometer training programme on wheelchair subjects Paraplegia 1986 24: 105–114
Sedlock DA, Knowlton RG, Fitzgerald PI . The effects of arm crank training on the physiological responses to submaximal wheelchair ergometry Eur J Appl Physiol 1988 57: 55–59
Davis G, Plyley MJ, Shephard RJ . Gains of cardiorespiratory fitness with arm-crank training in spinally disabled men Can J Sport Sci 1991 16: 64–72
Wicks JR, et al. The use of multistage exercise testing with wheelchair ergometry and arm cranking in subjects with spinal cord lesions Paraplegia 1977 15: 252–261
Glaser RM, et al. Physiological responses to maximal effort wheelchair and arm crank ergometry J Appl Physiol 1980 48: 1060–1064
Hooker SP, Wells CL . Effects of low- and moderate-intensity training in spinal cord-injured persons Med Sci Sports Exerc 1989 21: 18–22
Miles DS, et al. Pulmonary function changes in wheelchair athletes subsequent to exercise training Ergonomics 1982 25: 239–246
Yim SY, et al. Effect of wheelchair ergometer training on spinal cord-injured paraplegics Yonsei Med J 1993 34: 278–286
Crane L, et al. The effect of exercise training on pulmonary function in persons with quadriplegia Paraplegia 1994 32: 435–441
Tordi N, et al. Effects of an interval training programme of the upper limbs on a wheelchair ergometer in able-bodied subjects Int J Sports Med 1998 19: 408–414
Predine E, Gimenez M . Mise au point et validation d'un prototype de fauteuil roulant ergomètre permettant la mesure d'efforts réalisés avec les membres supérieurs. [Development of a wheelchair ergometer enabling the measurements of biomechanical variables during a physical exercise performed with upper limbs] Médecine du sport 1996 70: 17–24
Glaser RM, et al. Exercise program for wheelchair activity Am J Phys Med 1981 60: 67–75
Devillard X, et al. Développement d'un ergomètre pour fauteuil roulant : outil de mesure des capacités du patient à la propulsion d'un fauteuil roulant et choix à la prescription. [A wheelchair ergometer for physiological and biomechanical measurements.] Masson. Fauteuil roulant. [The wheel chair]. Paris 1997 134–142
Gimenez M, Servera E, Salinas W . Square-wave endurance exercise test (SWEET) for training and assessment in trained and untrained subjects. I. Description and cardiorespiratory responses Eur J Appl Physiol 1982 49: 359–368
Gass GC, et al. The effects of physical training on high level spinal lesion patients Scand J Rehabil Med 1980 12: 61–65
Whiting RB, et al. Improved physical fitness and work capacity in quadriplegics by wheelchair exercise J Cardiac Rehabil 1983 3: 251–255
Clausen JP . Effect of physical training on cardiovascular adjustments to exercise in man Physiol Rev 1977 57: 779–815
Hopman MT, Oeseburg B, Binkhorst RA . Cardiovascular responses in persons with paraplegia to prolonged arm exercise and thermal stress Med Sci Sports Exerc 1993 25: 577–583
Ekblom B, Lundberg A . Effect of physical training on adolescents with severe motor handicaps Acta Paediatr Scand 1968 57: 17–23
Hjeltnes N, Wallberg Henriksson H . Improved work capacity but unchanged peak oxygen uptake during primary rehabilitation in tetraplegic patients Spinal Cord 1998 36: 691–698
Bernard PL, et al. Influence of lesion level on the cardioventilatory adaptations in paraplegic wheelchair athletes during muscular exercise Spinal Cord 2000 38: 16–25
Gimenez M, et al. Implications of lower- and upper-limb training procedures in patients with chronic airway obstruction Chest 1992 101: 279S–288S
Lonsdorfer J, et al.. Physical training in heart transplant recipients: physiological aspects. Physical work capacity in organ transplantation Med Sport Sci 1998 42: 45–66
Hermansen L, Stensvold I . Production and removal of lactate during exercise in man Acta Physiol Scand 1972 86: 191–201
Gimenez M, et al. Square-wave endurance exercise test (SWEET) for training and assessment in trained and untrained subjects. II. Blood gases and acid-base balance Eur J Appl Physiol 1982 49: 369–377
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the subjects for their enthusiastic and regular participation, and the technicians of the Service de Physiologie Clinique et des Explorations Fonctionnelles des Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg 67091 for their assistance. Appreciation is also extended to Virginie Sandrin for her help.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tordi, N., Dugue, B., Klupzinski, D. et al. Interval training program on a wheelchair ergometer for paraplegic subjects. Spinal Cord 39, 532–537 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.sc.3101206
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.sc.3101206
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Hybrid high-intensity interval training using functional electrical stimulation leg cycling and arm ski ergometer for people with spinal cord injuries: a feasibility study
Pilot and Feasibility Studies (2022)
-
The effectiveness of vigorous training on cardiorespiratory fitness in persons with spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Spinal Cord (2021)
-
Viability of high intensity interval training in persons with spinal cord injury—a perspective review
Spinal Cord (2021)
-
Psychophysiological Stress Response of a Paralympic Athlete During an Ultra-Endurance Event. A Case Study
Journal of Medical Systems (2019)
-
A phase 2 randomized trial to evaluate the impact of a supervised exercise program on cardiotoxicity at 3 months in patients with HER2 overexpressing breast cancer undergoing adjuvant treatment by trastuzumab: design of the CARDAPAC study
BMC Cancer (2017)