Effects of ambulation on the blood flow in paralysed limbs

Non-invasive transcutaneous blood gas monitoring techniques have been used as indicators of the effect of standing exercise on circulation in paraplegic subjects. Oxygen (tPO2) and carbon dioxide (tPCO2) electrodes were positioned on the chests and legs of a group of normal control subjects and a group of paraplegic subjects in both rested sitting and post-ambulatory standing. It has been shown that, with one possible exception, there is no significant difference in the transcutaneous blood gas partial pressures of O2 and CO2, and thus, by inference, in the circulation of paraplegics when either sitting or standing.