Heart Rate Response During Underwater Treadmill Training in Adults with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

This study investigates how underwater treadmill training (UTT) affects heart rate in adults with incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI). Walking in water can help people with leg weakness and balance issues improve their mobility. The study involved participants completing 8 weeks of UTT, with sessions three times a week. The intensity of the exercise was gradually increased by adjusting the walking speed and duration. The researchers found that after two months of UTT, participants experienced reduced heart rates during exercise, suggesting an improvement in cardiovascular function.

• 1
  Heart rate decreased significantly over the course of the 8-week UTT program. Specifically, heart rate fell by 7% in weeks 2 and 3, 14% in weeks 4 and 5, and 17% in weeks 6 and 7.
• 2
  The magnitude of the reduction in heart rate increased with faster walking speeds and longer durations. This suggests that increased training volume leads to more pronounced cardiovascular benefits.
• 3
  The study found no significant difference in training-related changes in walking heart rate based on the level of spinal cord injury (above or below T5).