Article

The compendium of physical activity (CPA) may not be appropriate for
persons with paraplegia (PP) because of their possible low resting metabolic rate
(RMR), or 1 MET, and a lack of physical activities (PAs) engaged by PP in the
CPA. A CPA supplement, therefore, is needed. The purpose of this study was to
examine the feasibility of constructing a short supplement for PP with two
specific aims: to determine whether PP need an alternative 1-MET value and if
selected PA can be classified into corresponding categories based on their
'engagement' and 'energy expenditure (EE)' characteristics. METHOD: Thirty-one PP
(161.26 cm +/- 22.99 cm, 60.52 kg +/- 15.32 kg, and 24.16 +/- 6.25 years) were
recruited. RMR and 10 PA with different intensities were measured using indirect
calorimetry. The z- and t-tests were employed to examine MET difference between
the measured values and those of CPA (alpha = 0.05).
RESULTS: One-MET for PP (3.1
mL/kg/min) was lower than that of the CPA (3.5 mL/kg/min). Although some MET
values were found to be similar to those in the CPA, others were statistically
significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: To be able to measure PA-related EE of a
disability subpopulation using the CPA accurately, a supplement that accounts for
the impact of different types of activities and the EE characteristics of the
subpopulation must be developed.

Langue : ANGLAIS