Glucose tolerance and physical activity level in people with spinal cord injury

Cross-sectional, observational study.

To evaluate the associations of physical activity and neurological lesion level with glucose tolerance in people with spinal cord injury (SCI).

New South Wales, Australia.

Twenty-five people (5 women, 20 men) with SCI (>6 months post-injury) aged between 18 and 65 years were recruited. Exclusion criteria included known coronary heart disease, stroke or diabetes. Participants underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. Fasting and 2-h plasma glucose concentrations were classified according to the World Health Organization categories of glycemia. Participants also completed the Physical Activity Scale for Individuals with Physical Disabilities and mean MET-hours day(-1) was calculated. Associations with the 2-h plasma glucose concentration were calculated through multiple and stepwise regressions.

Participants presented with complete or incomplete tetraplegia (n=11 TETRA) or complete or incomplete paraplegia (n=14 PARA) with neurological lesion levels ranging from C3/4 to T12. Mean 2-h plasma glucose was 7.13+/-2.32 mmol l(-1). Nine participants had disordered glycemia (n=6 TETRA; n=3 PARA) and the remaining participants had normal glucose tolerance. Those participants with normal glucose tolerance participated in more moderate-vigorous and strength exercise and undertook more non-exercise-related mobility than those with disordered glycemia. Physical activity and age, but not lesion level were independent determinants of 2-h plasma glucose concentration (r=0.683, P=0.001), explaining 47% of the variance.

Physical activity level is independently associated with glucose tolerance in people with SCI. Non-exercise activity may also be important for maintaining normal glycemia.