Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether regular interval training on a seated
double-poling ergometer can increase physical capacity and safely improve
performance towards maximal level in individuals with spinal cord injury.
METHODS: A total of 13 subjects with spinal cord injury (injury levels T5-L1)
performed 30 sessions of seated double-poling ergometer training over a period of
10 weeks. Sub-maximal and maximal double-poling ergometer tests were performed
before (test-retest) and after this training period. Oxygen uptake was measured
using the Douglas Bag system. Three-dimensional kinematics were recorded using an
optoelectronic system and piezoelectric force sensors were used to register force
in both poles. RESULTS: The mean intra-class correlation coefficient for
test-retest values was 0.83 (standard deviation 0.11). After training significant
improvements were observed in people with spinal cord injury in oxygen uptake
(22.7%), ventilation (20.7%) and blood lactate level (22.0%) during maximal
exertion exercises. Mean power per stroke and peak pole force increased by 15.4%
and 23.7%, respectively. At sub-maximal level, significantly lower values were
observed in ventilation (-12.8%) and blood lactate level (-25.0%). CONCLUSION:
Regular interval training on the seated double-poling ergometer was effective for
individuals with spinal cord injury below T5 level in terms of improving aerobic
capacity and upper-body power output. The training was safe and did not cause any
overload symptoms.

Langue : ANGLAIS