Daily energy expenditure in active and inactive persons with spinal cord injury

Daily energy expenditure (DEE) was evaluated seventeen male subjects with spinal cord injury (SSCI), who had active (N = 9) and inactive (N = 8) lifestyles, and in seven normal males. DEE was estimated from the mean 24-hr heart rate and heart rate-energy expenditure relationship determined in an arm cranking exercise. The DEE of SSCI on active days did not differ from those of normal subjects. On inactive days, SSCI had significantly lower DEE than on active days and than normal subjects. In contrast, the mean 24-hr heart rates of SSCI on active days and inactive SSCI were significantly greater than those of normal subjects, suggesting that SSCI, particularly inactive SSCI, exhibited a slight degree of tachycardia when compared to normal subjects. On inactive days, the DEE was fairly independent of the level of spinal cord injury. However, on active days, there was a clear tendency for SSCI with a low lesion level to have a higher DEE. Even if a SSCI with a high lesion level engaged in active sports, his DEE was relatively small. This lower DEE was largely attributable to the smaller functional muscle mass due to the limitation of physical activity.