Low-Intensity Wheelchair Training in Inactive People with Long-Term Spinal Cord Injury

J.W. van der Scheer, S. de Groot, R.J.K. Vegter, J. Hartog, M. Tepper, J.H. Slootman, H.E.J. Veeger, L.H.V. van der Woude

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a low-intensity wheelchair training on propulsion technique in inactive people with long-term spinal cord injury. Design Participants in this multicenter nonblinded randomized controlled trial were inactive manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury for at least 10 yrs (N = 29), allocated to exercise (n = 14) or no exercise. The 16-wk training consisted of wheelchair treadmill propulsion at 30%-40% heart rate reserve or equivalent in rate of perceived exertion, twice a week, 30 mins per session. Propulsion technique was assessed at baseline as well as after 8, 16, and 42 wks during two submaximal treadmill-exercise blocks using a measurement wheel attached to a participant's own wheelchair. Changes over time between the groups were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U tests on difference scores (P < 0.05/3). Results Data of 16 participants could be analyzed (exercise: n = 8). Significant differences between the exercise and control groups were only found in peak force after 8 wks (respective medians, -20 N vs. 1 N; P = 0.01; r
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)975–986
Number of pages12
JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume94
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2015

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