Article

PURPOSE: To accurately characterise cardiopulmonary baseline performance in
aerobically untrained paraplegic subjects by means of an incremental exercise
test (IET) and to derive possible training recommendations based on these
measurements. METHODS: Twelve motor complete paraplegic subjects with no previous
experience in stimulated leg-cycling participated in the study. Exercise testing
was performed on a recumbent FES-tricycle by means of a work rate and cadence
controlled IET until maximal work rate was reached. Heart rate (HR) and
respiratory parameters were recorded continuously. RESULTS: Peak oxygen uptake
was 671 +/- 192 mL min(-1) (mean + standard deviation), peak HR 90 +/- 12 beats
min(-1), net peak power 8.4 +/- 3.3 W and peak minute ventilation 23.6 +/- 7.5 L
min(-1). Aerobic gas exchange threshold (GET) was found to be 51% +/- 10% of peak
oxygen uptake and corresponded to 41% +/- 13% of peak power. CONCLUSIONS: A
cadence and work rate controlled exercise test allows the determination of
cardiopulmonary parameters during stimulated cycle ergometry even in aerobically
untrained paraplegic subjects. The precise determination of GET allows an
appropriate exercise intensity to be prescribed and thus provides a suitable
method for exercise intensity calculation in the spinal cord injured population
in the future.

Langue : ANGLAIS