Article

OBJECTIVE: To describe physical capacity, autonomic function, and perceptions of
exercise among adults with subacute spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN:
Cross-sectional. SETTING: Two inpatient SCI rehabilitation programs in Canada.
PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=41; mean age +/- SD, 38.9 +/- 13.7y) with
tetraplegia (TP; n=19), high paraplegia (HP; n=8), or low paraplegia (LP; n=14)
completing inpatient SCI rehabilitation (mean +/- SD, 112.9 +/- 52.5d
postinjury). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Peak exercise
capacity was determined by an arm ergometry test. As a measure of autonomic
function, orthostatic tolerance was assessed by a passive sit-up test.
Self-efficacy for exercise postdischarge was evaluated by a questionnaire.
RESULTS: There was a significant difference in peak oxygen consumption and heart
rate between participants with TP (11.2 +/- 3.4;mL.kg(-1).min(-1) 113.9 +/- 19.7
beats/min) and LP (17.1 +/- 7.5 mL.kg(-1).min(-1); 142.8 +/- 22.7 beats/min).
Peak power output was also significantly lower in the TP group (30.0 +/- 6.9W)
compared with the HP (55.5 +/- 7.56W) and LP groups (62.5 +/- 12.2W). Systolic
blood pressure responses to the postural challenge varied significantly between
groups (-3.0 +/- 33.5 mmHg in TP, 17.8 +/- 14.7 mmHg in HP, 21.6 +/- 18.7 mmHg in
LP). Orthostatic hypotension was most prevalent among participants with motor
complete TP (73%). Results from the questionnaire revealed that although
participants value exercise and see benefits to regular participation, they have
low confidence in their abilities to perform the task of either aerobic or
strengthening exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise is well tolerated in adults with
subacute SCI. Exercise interventions at this stage should focus on improving
task-specific self-efficacy, and attention should be made to blood pressure
regulation, particularly in individuals with motor complete TP.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS