ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine whether self-reported physical activity of a moderate/vigorous intensity influences risk markers for cardiovascular disease in persons with paraplegia due to spinal cord injury. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: A total of 134 wheelchair-dependent individuals (103 men, 31 women) with chronic (≥ 1 year) post-traumatic spinal cord injury with paraplegia. METHODS: Cardiovascular disease markers (hypertension, blood glucose and a blood lipid panel) were analysed and related to physical activity. RESULTS: One out of 5 persons reported undertaking physical activity ≥ 30 min/day. Persons who were physically active ≥ 30 min/day were significantly younger than inactive persons. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were lower in the physically active group. When adjusting for age, the association between systolic blood pressure and physical activity disappeared. Physical activity ≥ 30 min/day had a tendency to positively influence body mass index and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio. Men had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures than women, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and higher triglycerides. No other significant differences between men and women were found. CONCLUSION: Self-reported physical activity ≥ 30 min/day in persons with spinal cord injury positively influenced diastolic blood pressure. No other reductions in cardiovascular disease risk markers were seen after controlling for age. These results indicate a positive effect of physical activity, but it cannot be concluded that recommendations about physical activity in cardiovascular disease prevention for the general population apply to wheelchair-dependent persons with spinal cord injury.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers , Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Motor Activity/physiology , Spinal Cord Injuries/complications , Adult , Aged , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Paraplegia/etiology , Risk Factors , Self Report , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess risk factors for cardiovascular disease at different body mass index values in persons with wheelchair-dependent paraplegia after spinal cord injuries. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: A total of 135 individuals, age range 18-79 years, with chronic (≥ 1 year) post-traumatic paraplegia. METHODS: Body mass index was stratified into 6 categorical groups. Cardiovascular disease risk factors for hypertension, diabetes mellitus and a serum lipid profile were analysed and reported by body mass index category. RESULTS: More than 80% of the examined participants had at least one cardiovascular disease risk factor irrespective of body mass index level. Hypertension was highly prevalent, especially in men. Dyslipidaemia was common at all body mass index categories in both men and women. CONCLUSION: Higher body mass index values tended to associate with more hypertension and diabetes mellitus, whereas dyslipidaemia was prevalent across all body mass index categories. Studies that intervene to reduce weight and or percentage body fat should be performed to determine the effect on reducing modifiable cardiovascular disease risk factors.