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 (10W/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 (V-O2; + 16%), and in oxygen pulse (O-2p,+ 18.7%). At ventilatory threshold, significant improvements were also observed in power output (+ 63%), V-O2VT (+34.1), ventilation V-EVT (+37.1% ), and O-2pVT (+19.9%). Heart rate and ventilation were significantly lower (-11 and -14.6%, respectively) after training at the same work rate, while V-O2 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.