Effect of Regular Exercise on Cardiopulmonary Fitness in Males With Spinal Cord Injury

Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are more likely to be overweight, diabetic, have cardiovascular disease and have an increased risk of infection. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiopulmonary capacity of subjects with varying degrees of neurologic injury levels of the spinal cord, age, and a history of regular exercise in Korean males with SCI. The study involved exercises using an arm ergometer to measure maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). The exercise intensity was increased stepwise, and the test was stopped upon exhaustion or when VO2 reached an equilibrium. The participants were divided into groups based on their neurological injury levels, age, and whether they participated in regular exercise. The study found that regular exercise increased VO2max in individuals with spinal cord injury. There were differences in VO2max based on the degree of neurologic injury and age. The regularly exercising paraplegic group showed higher VO2max than the non-exercising paraplegic group.

• 1
  Subjects with thoracic and lumbar spinal cord injuries had significantly higher mean VO2max than individuals with cervical SCI.
• 2
  Regularly exercising paraplegic subjects had significantly greater VO2max than those who did not exercise regularly.
• 3
  Among paraplegic subjects, those under 40 had a higher mean VO2max than those in their 40s or over 50.