Article

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in total blood volume and hemoglobin mass between spinal cord- injured and able-bodied individuals. Design: Total blood volumes of 13 able- bodied and 10 spinal cord-injured individuals (lesion > T4) were determined using the carbon monoxide method. The reproducibility of the total blood volume determination in our setting and the effect of increased physical activity were assessed. Results: Comparison of groups showed a significantly higher hemoglobin mass in able-bodied compared with spinal cord-injured individuals. The total blood volume expressed per kilogram of body mass in able-bodied individuals was significantly greater than in spinal cord-injured individuals. Conclusions: These results suggest that total blood volume and hemoglobin mass are decreased in spinal cord-injured individuals with a lesion above T4, which may be related to their inactive lifestyle, because total blood volume increased with increased physical activity in these subjects.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Identifiant basis : 2000211507