Circuit resistance training in persons with complete paraplegia

Background/Objective: We assessed the metabolic and heart rate (HR) responses to a single session of circuit resistance training (CRT) in six subjects with complete paraplegia (T-5-T-12 levels) in order to determine the caloric cost of the exercise. Methods: Subjects under-went isoinertial weight training exercises with interspersed periods of high-cadence, low-resistance arm ergometry (AE). Following protocol familiarization, subjects completed one session of CRT during which continuous monitoring of HR, oxygen uptake (VO2), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER = VCO2/VO2) was performed. Caloric cost was calculated from the exercise VO2 values across the CRT session. A peak arm exercise test allowed data to be expressed as percentages of peak VO2 and HR. Results: Subjects displayed mean VO2 values of 11.6 +/- 2.4 ml/kg/min (mean +/- SD) and a mean HR of 136 +/- 17 beats/min across the CRT session, corresponding with 49.0% of peak VO2 and 76.8% of peak HR. The RER values ranged from 0.96 to 1.19 and averaged above unity throughout the CRT session. Conclusion: Despite the modest absolute VO2 during exercise, CRT satisfies operational criteria developed for cardiorespiratory exercise prescriptions in persons without disability. The R-ER values recorded indicate that CRT is intense work that relies primarily on glycolytic metabolism.