Article

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a
low-intensity wheelchair training on propulsion technique in inactive people with
long-term spinal cord injury. DESIGN: Participants in this multicenter nonblinded
randomized controlled trial were inactive manual wheelchair users with spinal
cord injury for at least 10 yrs (N = 29), allocated to exercise (n = 14) or no
exercise. The 16-wk training consisted of wheelchair treadmill propulsion at
30%-40% heart rate reserve or equivalent in rate of perceived exertion, twice a
week, 30 mins per session. Propulsion technique was assessed at baseline as well
as after 8, 16, and 42 wks during two submaximal treadmill-exercise blocks using
a measurement wheel attached to a participant's own wheelchair. Changes over time
between the groups were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests on difference scores
(P < 0.05/3). RESULTS: Data of 16 participants could be analyzed (exercise: n =
8). Significant differences between the exercise and control groups were only
found in peak force after 8 wks (respective medians, -20 N vs. 1 N; P = 0.01; ru
= 0.78). CONCLUSIONS: Significant training effects on propulsion technique were
not found in this group. Perhaps, substantial effects require a higher intensity
or frequency. Investigating whether more effective and feasible interventions
exist might help reduce the population's risk of upper-body joint damage during
daily wheelchair propulsion.

Langue : ANGLAIS