Effects of a wheelchair ergometer training programme on spinal cord-injured persons

Study design: Before and after investigation of the effects of a wheelchair ergometer Training programme. Objective: To investigate the effects of an original interval-training programme on work capacity and cardiorespiratory variables with spinal cord-injured persons (SCIP's) on a wheelchair-specific ergometer. Setting: BESANCON, FRANCE. Methods: Seven SCIP's (male) performed 45 min of wheelchair ergometry three times per week, for 6 weeks. Training effects on maximal dynamic performance and endurance capacity were studied by comparison of performance and cardiorespiratory responses observed during both a maximal progressive test (10 W/2 min) and the same training session performed before and after training. Results: Training induced significant improvements in maximal tolerated power (+ 19.6%), in peak oxygen consumption (VO2, +16%), and in oxygen pulse (O2p, + 18.7%). At ventilatory threshold, significant improvements were also observed in power output (+63%), VO2VT(+34.1), ventilation V EVT(+37.1%), and O2pVT(+19.9%). Heart rate and ventilation were significantly lower (-11 and -14.6%, respectively) after training at the same work rate, while VO2 was unchanged. Between the first and the last training session, the total physical work was improved by 24.7%, whereas heart rate was unchanged. Conclusion: An interval-training programme individualised to each paraplegic subject using a wheelchair ergometer can significantly improve the fitness level and endurance capacity.