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Effects of prolonged exercise in highly trained traumatic paraplegic men
1Department of Biological Sciences, Cumberland College of Health Sciences, Sydney, Australia.
Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|November 1, 1987
Summary
Highly trained paraplegic men showed stable oxygen uptake and lactate levels during prolonged wheelchair exercise. However, heart rate, free fatty acids, and blood hematocrit increased significantly, indicating physiological stress.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Paraplegia secondary to spinal cord injury (SCI) significantly impacts cardiovascular and metabolic functions.
- Understanding physiological responses to exercise is crucial for optimizing training and health in individuals with SCI.
- Wheelchair exercise is a primary mode of physical activity for individuals with paraplegia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cardiovascular and metabolic adaptations during prolonged wheelchair exercise in endurance-trained men with traumatic paraplegia.
- To assess key physiological variables including oxygen uptake, substrate utilization, and electrolyte balance.
Main Methods:
- Six endurance-trained male subjects with T10-T12/L3 spinal cord lesions performed a maximal incremental wheelchair exercise test.
- Subjects then completed an 80-minute submaximal exercise bout at 60-65% of VO2max.
- Venous blood samples were analyzed for hematocrit, hemoglobin, lactate, glucose, electrolytes, and osmolality; cardiorespiratory measures were also recorded.
Main Results:
- Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was 47.5 ml.min-1.kg-1.
- No significant changes were observed in oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), ventilation (VE), respiratory exchange ratio (R), net efficiency, or lactate and glucose concentrations.
- Significant increases in heart rate (HR), free fatty acids (FFA), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), osmolality, hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) were noted.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged wheelchair exercise in trained paraplegic men maintains stable aerobic metabolism and substrate utilization.
- Physiological responses include increased cardiovascular strain (HR) and hemoconcentration (Hb, Hct), alongside shifts in electrolytes and FFA, suggesting adaptation to sustained physical exertion.