Wheelchair-Specific Fitness of Inactive People with Long-Term Spinal Cord Injury

Author： van der Scheer Jan W. de Groot Sonja Tepper Marga Gobets David Veeger DirkJan H. E. J. van der Woude Lucas H. V.

Publisher： Medical Journals Limited

E-ISSN： 1651-2081|47|4|330-337

ISSN： 1650-1977

Source： Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol.47, Iss.4, 2015-04, pp. : 330-337

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Abstract

Objectives: To describe wheelchair-specific anaerobic work capacity, isometric strength and peak aerobic work capacity of physically inactive people with long-term spinal cord injury using outcomes of tests that are feasible for use in rehabilitation centres, and to determine associations among these fitness components.Design: Cross-sectional study.Participants: Manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury for at least 10 years, who were inactive based on a norm score of a physical activity questionnaire (n = 29; 22 men; 20 with paraplegia; median age 53 years).Methods: Participants performed 3 exercise tests in their own wheelchair to determine: highest 5-s power output over 15-m overground sprinting (P5–15m); highest 3-s isometric push-force (Fiso); and peak power output (POpeak) and peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) over a peak test.Results: Median (interquartile range) was in P5–15m 16.1 W (9.4–20.9); in Fiso 399 N (284–610); in POpeak 40.9 W (19.1–54.9); and in VO₂ peak 1.26 l/min (0.80–1.67). Correlations among outcomes of fitness components were weak (r = 0.50–0.67, p < 0.01), except for P5–15m with POpeak (r = 0.79, p < 0.001).Conclusion: All fitness components measured in this sample were at relatively low levels, implying a specific need for interventions to improve wheelchair-specific fitness. The weak-to-moderate associations among components imply that separate tests should be used when monitoring wheelchair-specific fitness in rehabilitation centres.