Effects of a primary rehabilitation programme on arterial vascular adaptations in an individual with paraplegia

Evaluation of the effects of 6 weeks of wheelchair endurance training on arterial stiffness in an individual with paraplegia.

A 22-year-old male patient with complete (ASIA A) paraplegia (T11) was tested before and after training (30 minutes three times per week). Physical performance and cardiorespiratory response were evaluated during a maximal progressive test. Heart rate (HR), blood pressure, stroke volume and arterial carotid-wrist and carotid-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured at rest.

Maximal responses registered (maximal tolerated power, VO2 peak) during the exercise test were increased after training. At rest, HR as PWV decreased, whereas cardiac output and blood pressure remained constant.

Continuous exposure of the subject to a repeated high intensity exercise bout for 6 weeks elevated fitness level. Such a regular practice might also constitute a major way to trigger vascular remodelling beyond to the trained body part.