Article

PURPOSE: To study the impact of time since injury (TSI) and physical activity
(PA) on fitness of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHOD: Cross-sectional
study. Persons with SCI (N = 158) in three TSI strata: 10-19, 20-29 and >/=30
years after SCI and divided in an active and inactive group. Fitness [peak power
output (POpeak) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)] was assessed. RESULTS: In
persons with tetraplegia, no significant relationship was found between TSI and
fitness after controlling for confounders, while a higher activity level was
related to a higher POpeak in this group. Active people with tetraplegia also
showed less decline in POpeak with an increase in TSI compared to inactive
people. In persons with paraplegia, after controlling for confounders, it was
shown that TSI had a negative effect on POpeak, while PA was not significantly
associated with fitness in people with paraplegia.
CONCLUSIONS: In people with
paraplegia, fitness was significantly lower in those with a longer TSI. Persons
with a long TSI might need more attention to remain fit and PA might be an
important element in that respect as shown by the results of the group with a
tetraplegia. Implications for Rehabilitation Wheelchair-specific fitness seems to
diminish over time after paraplegia. An active lifestyle is related to
wheelchair-specific fitness in persons with tetraplegia. Prevention of long-term
deconditioning is very important.

Langue : ANGLAIS