Rectal and rectal vs. esophageal temperatures in paraplegic men during prolonged exercise.

This study investigated the rectal (Tre), esophageal (Tes), and skin (Tsk) temperature changes in a group of trained traumatic paraplegic men pushing their own wheelchairs on a motor-driven treadmill for a prolonged period in a neutral environment. There were two experiments. The first experiment (Tre and Tsk) involved a homogeneous group (T10-T12/L3) of highly trained paraplegic men [maximum O2 uptake (VO2max) 47.5 +/- 1.8 ml.kg-1.min-1] exercising for 80 min at 60-65% VO2max.Tre and Tsk (head, arm, thigh, and calf) and heart rate (HR) were recorded throughout. O2 uptake (VO2), minute ventilation (VE), CO2 production (VCO2), and heart rate (HR) were recorded at four intervals. During experiment 1 significant changes in HR and insignificant changes in VCO2, VE, and VO2 occurred throughout prolonged exercise. Tre increased significantly from 37.1 +/- 0.1 degrees C (rest) to 37.8 +/- 0.1 degrees C after 80 min of exercise. There were only significant changes in arm Tsk. Experiment 2 involved a nonhomogeneous group (T5-T10/T11) of active paraplegics (VO2max 39.9 +/- 4.3 ml.kg-1.min-1) exercising at 60-65% VO2max for up to 45 min on the treadmill while Tre and Tes were simultaneously recorded. Tes rose significantly faster than Tre during exercise (dT/dt 20 min: Tes 0.050 +/- 0.003 degrees C/min and Tre 0.019 +/- 0.005 degrees C/min), and Tes declined significantly faster than Tre at the end of exercise. Tes was significantly higher than Tre at the end of exercise. Our results suggest that during wheelchair propulsion by paraplegics, Tes may be a better estimate of core temperature than Tre.

Effects of prolonged exercise in highly trained traumatic paraplegic men.

This study investigated the cardiovascular and metabolic responses to prolonged wheelchair exercise in a group of highly trained, traumatic paraplegic men. Six endurance-trained subjects with spinal cord lesions from T10 to T12/L3 underwent a maximal incremental exercise test in which they propelled their own track wheelchairs on a motor-driven treadmill to exhaustion to determine maximal O2 uptake (VO2max) and related variables. One week later each subject exercised in the same wheelchair on a motorized treadmill at 60-65% of VO2max for 80 min in a thermoneutral environment (dry bulb 22 degrees C, wet bulb 17 degrees C). Approximately 10 ml of venous blood were withdrawn both 20 min and immediately before exercise (0 min), after 40 and 80 min of exercise, and 20 min postexercise. Venous blood was analyzed for hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), and lactate, and the separated plasma was analyzed for glucose, K+, Na+, Cl-, free fatty acid (FFA), and osmolality. VO2, CO2 production (VCO2), minute ventilation (VE), respiratory exchange ratio (R), net efficiency, and wheelchair strike rate were determined at four intervals throughout the exercise period. Data were analyzed with an analysis of variance repeated-measures design and a Scheffé post hoc test. VO2max was 47.5 +/- 1.8 (SE) ml.min-1.kg-1 with maximal VE BTPS and maximal heart rate (HR) being 100.1 +/- 3.8 l/min and 190 +/- 1 beats/min, respectively. During prolonged exercise there were no significant changes in VO2, VCO2, VE, R, net efficiency, wheelchair strike rate, and lactate, glucose, and Na+ concentrations. Significant increases occurred in HR, FFA, K+, Cl-, osmolality, Hb, and Hct throughout exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The maximum physiological responses during incremental wheelchair and arm cranking exercise in male paraplegics.

Ten physically active male paraplegics (means = 30 +/- 1 yr), with lesion levels ranging from T5 to L4/S2, underwent two incremental exercise tests to exhaustion. The exercise tests were arm cranking, utilizing an electronically-braked arm cranker, and wheelchair propulsion on a motor-driven treadmill. The subjects were randomly assigned to groups, and the exercise tests were separated by 1 wk. For the first six subjects, during both modes of exercise, VO2, VCO2, R, VE, and heart rates were recorded throughout; for the remaining four subjects the same variables were recorded after the heart rate reached 160 b X min-1. The VO2 (l X min-1 and ml X min-1 X kg-1), VCO2 (l X min-1), HR, and VE BTPS (l X min-1) were significantly higher at the termination of the wheelchair exercise than at the termination of the arm cranking exercise. The minute ventilation, when recorded throughout both exercise tests, showed a relatively linear phase at first, followed by a curvilinear phase. The findings of this study indicate that in the present group of paraplegics, the highest VO2 was obtained during maximum wheelchair exercise.

Prolonged exercise in highly trained female endurance runners.

The effects of prolonged exercise in a 21 degree C dry bulb and 15 degree C wet bulb environment at 65%-70% VO2max were examined in seven highly trained females. The subjects, aged 22-35 years, underwent an initial incremental treadmill test to exhaustion, with assessment of VO2max and related cardiorespiratory variables. One week later, under similar environmental conditions, subjects ran at approximately 65% VO2max for 80 min on a motor-driven treadmill. Approximately 10 ml of venous blood was withdrawn 10 min prior and immediately prior to the onset of prolonged exercise, and at 20, 40, 60, and 80 min, and 20 min post-exercise. Venous blood was analyzed for glucose, lactate, osmolality, Na+, K+, protein, and hemoglobin (Hb). Hematocrit was measured and changes in plasma volume calculated. VO2, VE, respiratory exchange ratio, and heart rate were recorded at 17, 37, and 77 min. The percent body fat estimated from skinfold thicknesses was 19 +/- 1%. The mean VO2max was 59.3 +/- 1.0 ml . kg-1 . min-1, with a mean max VE STPD and heart rate of 78.75 +/- 3.10 1 . min-1 and 175 +/- 4 beats . min-1, respectively. No significant changes occurred in VO2, VE, % VO2max, heart rate, venous lactate, plasma glucose, or plasma protein during the prolonged exercise. A significant decrease in respiratory exchange ratio was noted. Significant changes also occurred in hematocrit, Hb, Na+, K+, and osmolality. An interesting finding was the pre-exercise expansion of the plasma volume.

The effects of prolonged exercise on spinally injured subjects.

The effects of prolonged exercise on paraplegics have not been reported. Seven male paraplegic subjects with spinal lesions from T4 - T12 - L1 underwent an incremental wheelchair treadmill test to exhaustion. Heart rate (HR), VO2max, and VESTPD were recorded and calculated. One week later, subjects exercised in their wheelchairs at approximately 50% (mean = 52 +/- 2%) of VO2max for 60 min on a motorized treadmill. Approximately 10 ml venous blood was withdrawn both 10 min and immediately prior to the prolonged exercise, at 20, 40, and 60 min of the exercise period, and at 10 min post-exercise. Venous blood was analyzed for glucose, hemoglobin, lactate, Na+, K+, Cl-, and plasma protein. Hematocrit was recorded and plasma volume changes calculated VO2, VE, and HR were recorded at 17, 37, and 57 min of the prolonged exercise. The mean VO2max was 29.5 +/- 2.7 ml.kg-1.min-1, with a mean max VESTPD and HR of 61.86 +/- 4.98 1.min-1 and 174 +/- 4 b.min-1, respectively. The changes in VO2 and VE during the prolonged wheelchair exercise were not significant. Significant changes occurred in venous lactate and plasma glucose concentrations during prolonged wheelchair exercise. Plasma volume changes were similar to those seen in able-bodied subjects. A notable finding was the pre-exercise hemodilution. Present data indicate that paraplegics can exercise at approximately 50% VO2 for 60 min, producing responses similar to those in able-bodied subjects.

The effects of physical training on high level spinal lesion patients.

Seven chronically institutionalised high level spinal lesion subjects participated in an exercise program, five days per week for seven weeks. Anthropometry, spirometry and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) was measured initially and at the end of seven weeks. Subjects generally followed a common training program. No significant changes were noted in the anthropometric and spirometric measurements. A significant increase (34%) in minute ventilation was recorded, and this was accompanied by significant increases in VO2 max 0.764 +/- 0.341 to 1.03 +/- 0.419 1 x min-1 (P less than 0.01) and wheelchair treadmill time 502 +/- 340 to 766 +/- 249 sec (P less than 0.05). The exercise program had no significant effect on maximum or recovery heart rates. Many subjects had subjective comments on improved psychological state. The significant changes in VV2 max, VE, and wheelchair treadmill time indicated that high level spinal lesion subjects can exhibit an improved cardiovascular function through regular aerobic exercise.

Oxygen concumtpion and biochemistry of Australian women physiotherapists.

Oxygen consumption and related spirometric, biochemical, and anthropometric variables were measured in 28 practicing Australian women physiotherapists at 3 teaching hospitals. Heart rate while on ward duty was also measured in 2 randomly selected physiotherapists. The majority of measurements were found to be within normal limits for Australian women and consistent with women of similar age in occupational groups in other countries, except for body fat, which was lower, and maximum oxygen consumption, which was higher. The later exceptions are believed to be the result of the physical work required of Australian women physiotherapists.

Physiological characteristics of trained Australian paraplegic and tetraplegic subjects.

Sixteen male Australian paraplegic and tetraplegic subjects competing at the 1977 FESPIC games underwent a physiological assessment. The assessment included a neurological examination, anthropometry, spirometry, maximum oxygen consumption using a wheelchair and motor driven treadmill and a 5 minute post exercise blood lactate. Eight subjects had won gold medals at international competitions for the disabled, and, at the time of testing, two of the subjects were world record holders in track and field events. Spirometry was consistent with other reported values with FVC and FEV1.0 being 4.94 and 4.25 l respectively. The cardiorespiratory data revealed a mean VO2max 2.04+/-0.64 l min-1, and 33.0+/-9.4 ml kg-1 min-1; VE STPD, 60.75+/-22.64 l min-1; maximum heart rate 179+/-20 b min-1 and post exercise lactate 11.73+/-1.94 mM. It was concluded that many physiological variables measured on the Australian subjects at rest and during maximum work were comparable to other trained disabled athletes.