title: Effects of a wheelchair ergometer training programme on spinal cord-injured persons.
abstract: METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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 (10 W/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 (VO2,+16%), and in oxygen pulse (O2p,+18.7%). At ventilatory threshold, significant improvements were also observed in power output (+63%), VO2VT(+ 34.1), ventilation VEVT(+ 37.1%), and V2pVT(+ 19.9% ). Heart rate and ventilation were significantly lower (-11 and -14.6%, respectively) after training at the same work rate, while VO2 was unchanged. Between the first and the last training session, the total physical work was improved by 24.7%, whereas heart rate was unchanged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An interval-training programme individualised to each paraplegic subject using a wheelchair ergometer can significantly improve the fitness level and endurance capacity.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Sciences du Sport, Place Saint Jacques, Besançon, France.
authors.forename: M-P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Bougenot
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tordi
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Betik
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Le Foll
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Parratte
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lonsdorfer
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rouillon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016552:Ergometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D014910:Wheelchairs